Martin County could save millions on Green River Parkway construction
August 5th, 2009 by TCPalm.comMARTIN COUNTY — The county stands to save a bundle on construction of the Green River Parkway’s southern segment as competitive bids for the project came in several million dollars below what was anticipated.
Guettler Brothers Construction LLC of Fort Pierce submitted the low bid of $4.966 million to construct the parkway’s southern segment that will run from Jensen Beach Boulevard south to a round-a-bout at Baker Road and tie into Northwest Dixie Highway (State Road 707).
County officials anticipated spending about $9 million on the extension and a one-inch asphalt overlay to the parkway’s north section; however, the hard economy is providing a windfall to the county.
“There’s a lot of competition out there,” said Paul Bangs, county roadway construction and design administrator. “We’re finding that much like the state got on the Indian Street Bridge, we’re getting phenomenal prices on construction.”
Bangs said planners were confident bids would come in under the county’s budget for the road, but saving some $4 million was a pleasant surprise.
The Martin County Board of County Commissioners will consider Guettler’s bid at their Aug. 11 meeting, and Bangs said there appears to be no obstacle to awarding the contract.
Assuming board approval, construction is slated to begin Sept. 1, with completion set for next fall.
When fully completed, the parkway will give motorists an alternative to congested driving along U.S. 1 from Walton Road in St. Lucie County to Dixie Highway north of the Roosevelt Bridge.
Bangs said the work will not initially impact traffic; however, as the project progresses motorists will encounter construction sites where the parkway intersects Baker Road, S.R. 707 and Jensen Beach Boulevard.
Resurfacing the northern leg from Jensen Beach Boulevard to the county line should pose only periodic lane closures, Bangs said.
By Jim Mayfield, TCPalm.com
Tags: budget, contract, contract bids, green river parkway, roads, toad construction, Traffic
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August 5th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Ha ha. “Saved”. Yah right. Come talk to me when the contract closed, retainage is paid and all change orders are negotiated. Bargain shopping for contractors…brilliant. Why not use the lowest bidder for services at the eye doctor next time? Or perhaps the low bid brain surgeon to work on your brain? Sound like a bad idea? So is low bid construction. You get what you pay for.