by Logan Gruber
At their July 27 meeting, the Sauk Rapids City Council recently awarded the contract for the 18th Street overlay project to Tri-City Paving of Little Falls. Tri-City was the low-bid, at a rate of $323,905.16.
The total estimated cost of the project is $388,800. Besides the construction costs for Tri-City Paving, engineering costs total $39,000, legal and administrative fees total $3,200, and a contingency fund has been set aside in the amount of $22,700. The project was initially estimated to cost $412,000.
After a feasibility study was conducted and a public hearing was held, the council approved the search for bids to begin May 26.
The project will extend from Hwy. 15 in the west to 9th Avenue N. in the east. The pavement on 18th Street is about 20 years old, according to the feasibility study. Overlay work typically involves the milling and removal of two inches of existing asphalt. A fresh layer of asphalt is then placed onto the roadway, which usually will also receive new lane markings. Pedestrian sidewalk ramps located on the road will be replaced if they are not in compliance with Americans with Disability Act standards.