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Selectboard reviews Otter Creek proposal for West River Road engineering
Summary
Otter Creek Engineering proposed an initial assessment with one or two geotechnical borings and a phased design process to develop multiple options and cost opinions, positioning Lincoln to pursue VTrans and FEMA mitigation funding; the firm said its cost estimates have tracked within about 10%.
Robert Clark, Vice President and Principal Engineer of Otter Creek Engineering, presented his firm’s proposal for engineering work on West River Road to the Town of Lincoln Selectboard on June 23, 2026. The proposal calls for an initial assessment that includes a limited geotechnical effort—"one or two borings"—followed by development of concept plans, cost opinions, and a set of alternative solutions for the board to consider.
"There is an opportunity to take a step back and do an initial assessment with a limited geotechnical effort with one or two borings and develop a concept plan before spending more on engineering," Clark told the board. He said Otter Creek would provide a summary letter outlining alternatives, likely permits, and recommended next steps, and that having a completed design positions the town better to pursue grant funding from VTrans, regional programs, and FEMA mitigation sources. Clark noted that, in recent projects, their cost estimates have performed within about 10% of final bids.
Selectboard members asked about contractor partnerships, the firm’s approach to change orders, and how recommendations would present lifespan projections for each option. Clark said Otter Creek would include two to four alternatives in the report, highlight the two most cost-effective choices, and could manage contractor bidding and project management if the board chooses to proceed. The firm emphasized doing more engineering up front to reduce later change orders.
The board did not select a consultant at the meeting; the discussion was recorded for the continued RFP review and indicated next steps will include comparing Otter Creek’s proposal against competing bids and the Selectboard’s priorities.
