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County awards A34 overlay and approves multiple road and bridge contracts; buys new motor grader
Summary
The Board accepted a low bid of $2.918 million for the A34 PCC overlay, approved multiple bridge and ditch contracts, and authorized equipment purchases (including a CAT motor grader) to support secondary‑roads work amid tight construction schedules and pandemic supply pressures.
The Lyon County Board approved several major transportation actions in 2020, including acceptance of Croell Inc.’s low bid of $2,918,062.11 for the A34 PCC overlay, awards on research and ditch‑cleaning contracts, and purchases of heavy equipment for Secondary Roads.
County Engineer Laura Sievers and staff moved multiple projects through the summer and fall as pandemic conditions and market price volatility affected bids and schedules. At the October bidding, the A34 overlay low bid exceeded preliminary estimates; the Board nevertheless accepted the low bid, noting the project is funded with regional and Farm‑to‑Market swap funds and that accepting the bid will affect the timing of other projects.
The Board also awarded bridge and ditch‑cleaning contracts across the county and approved firm selection for construction engineering where the county lacked in‑house engineering capacity while hiring an engineer. Notably, Nelson & Rock and Dixon Construction received bridge awards; Flewelling and Henning won ditch and paving work on other contracts.
To maintain local capacity, supervisors approved equipment purchases to replace aging fleet and improve in‑house capability. The Board accepted a Ziegler (CAT) quote to buy a CAT 150 AWD motor grader ($306,750 net after trade) and later authorized additional purchases and trailer equipment to support operations, citing reduced rental availability and rising rental rates.
Road Superintendent Dave Jackson said the county has increased in‑house shoulder, culvert and grading work using new equipment; supervisors asked for regular project updates and mapping of gravel roads needing work to prioritize next year’s budget.
What happens next: Contractors will mobilize according to award schedules; engineering oversight and ROW/easement work continue. The county will track capital equipment delivery timelines and monitor budget impacts on other projects.
