Council approves $613,604.86 in change orders for Fletcher Bypass; contract rises to $6,796,000

The council voted to approve change orders 2, 3 and 4 for the Fletcher Bypass City Project (No. 1409), increasing the contract with CS McCrossin to $6,796,000.

Doren, a city staff member overseeing the project, reviewed the award and subsequent change orders. He said the city awarded the contract to CS McCrossin for $6,124,000 and that the total estimated project cost at bid time was about $10,100,000. Doren detailed that change order 2 addressed additional subgrade correction south of the railroad tracks, change order 3 covered drain tile issues in farm fields ($47,330.66), and change order 4 was for muck excavation and replacement ($169,350). Combined, change orders 2 through 4 total $613,604.86, bringing the contract to $6,796,000; Doren noted the cumulative value of change orders 1 through 4 is $671,604.86, an increase of 10.97% from the original award.

Doren said the change-order costs will be split between Hennepin County and the city and that the county has already reimbursed up to 95% of the original contract award amount during project payments; final reconciliation will occur when the project is trued up. He also said the contractor expects to complete the Territorial Road roundabout by July 31 and the segment connecting back to Fletcher Lane by July 23, and that the entire project completion date is currently estimated as November 15. The council discussed potential closure of County Road 81 for about 21 days to accelerate work; staff said the county has preliminarily approved the closure and that the contractor committed to completing that closure work in roughly 21 days.

A council member moved to approve the change orders; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.