Wet weather last summer delayed a paving project north of Paton but ultimately saved the county money on the project.
The Greene County supervisors on Feb. 11 approved a contract with Wicks Construction for PCC pavement for paving of three-quarters of a mile of Trinity Ave and 125th St just east of Paton at the new Bauer plant. The Decorah-based company submitted the low bid of $639,518.62.
County engineer Wade Weiss is familiar with the company’s work, as it is the same company that did the paving for the city of Jefferson’s streetscape project around the courthouse square in 2012.
Weiss reported to the supervisors several times last spring and summer that the county’s secondary roads crew had delayed the needed grading on the project because of wet road conditions. When it became apparent the grading could not be done in time for a 2015 project, Weiss delayed bid letting on the project.
Had the project proceeded as originally planned, paving would have been done last fall, with an original cost estimate of $809,000. Weiss said this is “a good year for bidding” on paving jobs.
The project will receive $425,000 in RISE (Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy) funds from the Iowa Department of Transportation. RISE funds are earmarked for infrastructure improvement that promote economic development. Paving Trinity Ave and 125th St are integral to opening the new Bauer factory near Paton, with an estimated 30 to 40 new jobs.
The remaining funds for the project come from the county’s share of farm-to-market funds.
The paving project will start no later than Aug. 29 and will be completed within 30 working days.
