Commissioners approve road contracts, change orders and equipment transfer for paving operations

At the June 30 meeting, St. Joseph County commissioners approved multiple infrastructure procurements and contract changes covering road milling, resurfacing and utility relocation.

IPG staff presented four bids for project M 92601 (milling of various roads) and asked the board to receive the bids and forward them to engineering for review and award; the board approved that request. Staff clarified that a base bid covers only the contractor’s milling machine and operator while Alternate 1 provides full service including trucking and traffic control.

The board approved acquisition of a used road reclaimer (called an "asphalt zipper" or road reclaimer) from Marshall County; staff said the unit is 10–12 years old, in working order, and will be transferred at a price substantially below the cost of a new machine. Commissioners also approved change order 1 with Milestone Contractors (project RNS92602-D) for additional paving work in the amount of $349,557.81, and approved five change orders (10–14) with HRP Construction to relocate water utilities tied to the Fillmore-Larrison intersection work, a combined increase of $366,976.48 to be paid by AWS. Staff said the Milestone additions were requested to use available budget where quantities were lower than estimated.

Separately, staff recommended rejecting bids for W-92602 (Capitol Avenue corridor utility expansion) due to irregularities in responses and authorized rebidding with clarifications and a planned evening bid opening at the July 21 meeting. The board also authorized advertising for two frontage-road packages over local ditches and approved the IPG consent agenda.