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Calhoun County approves road contracts, accepts $4 million in MDOT bridge funding
Summary
The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on March 5 unanimously approved seasonal road contracts — including hot mix asphalt pickup and a three-year materials-testing contract — accepted two MDOT bridge grants worth about $2 million each, and approved a private-funded road work agreement for 29 Mile Road.
Calhoun County commissioners voted unanimously March 5 to award several road-related contracts, accept two state bridge grants and approve a private-funded road work agreement, officials said.
Administrator/Controller Kelly Scott told the board the county estimated a need for just over 5,000 tons of hot mix asphalt (HMA) in 2026 — roughly $300,000 — and recommended awarding the annual pickup contract to two bidders (Lakeland Asphalt and Michigan Paving Materials) to maintain flexibility and reduce mobilization costs. The board approved the HMA pickup award after a motion by Commissioner Moorhart and a second by Commissioner Saxton; the vote was 7-0.
Scott and road department staff also recommended a three-year contract for environmental services and materials testing (2026–2028). Six firms submitted proposals; the county recommended Soil Materials Engineering (SME) based on MDOT-spec compliance, references and responsiveness. Road staff emphasized plant and on-site testing and said SME has worked with the county for about 10 years. The board approved that award 7-0.
The board also accepted two competitive MDOT local bridge awards for bridge replacements on L Drive South (Albion Township) and 25½ Mile Road over the Kalamazoo River (Homer/Elivon townships). Road staff said each bridge project is roughly $2 million and the county built a combined match of about $300,000 into the 2026 budget (about a 10% local share). Designs are complete and bids will be let through MDOT; staff said construction timing will follow MDOT’s bid-award schedule. Commissioners voted to approve the federal-aid bridge contracts 7-0.
Separately, the board approved a road work agreement for 29 Mile Road with Michigan Paving Materials/StoneCo, in which the private firm will fund and construct improvements at its own expense to address increased truck traffic from an expanded pit. The county’s role, staff said, is to permit, inspect and require QA/QC testing because the road will remain county-owned and maintained. The agreement was approved unanimously.
Road department staff noted testing protocols for all contracts — the county requires vendor testing and county inspection of loads, and plant/field checks (including temperature checks and density testing) to ensure material quality.
What’s next: MDOT bid openings are expected soon for the two bridges; the county will hold preconstruction meetings after award and coordinate detour plans with affected townships. The road work on 29 Mile Road will proceed under the county inspection and testing standards once the private contractor and townships finalize timing.
