LELAND — Repairing 12 damaged locations and making stormwater system modifications in Mallory Creek will cost The Town of Leland at least $895,715.75, or $1.07 million including a 20% contingency fee to account for unexpected change orders.
On Thursday, Leland Town Council will consider issuing a Notice of Award to S.T. Wooten Corporation, the lowest of two bidders to complete work on the project.
Related: Waterford residents say ‘shoddy’ town-contracted resurfacing job needs scrutiny
Because of the road’s poor condition, Leland staff recommended to Council at a June 17 agenda meeting that the Mallory Creek repatching project get prioritized over all others.
Using Powell Bill funds
According to the town’s 2019-2020 budget, which kicked in on July 1, $44,875 of the project would be covered by the general fund.
The remaining $773,407 is budgeted to be covered by Powell Bill funds — funds sourced from gas tax collected by the state and given back to municipalities according to the amount of non-state maintained mileage in their limits. The town anticipates $612,000 in revenues this fiscal year.
Highland Paving Company also bid to complete the project for $944,235. The Town of Leland has had issues with Highland after a $478,296 repaving project in Waterford was not completed up to expected standards. The company was the only bidder on the project, and the project came in two-and-a-half times higher than what the town anticipated.
Work includes full-depth asphalt replacement at 12 failed locations within the first mile of Mallory Creek Drive, off of Highway 133, according to town documents. Stormwater system modifications, curb and gutter replacement, erosion-control measures, utility line adjustments, and other street upgrades are also included in the asphalt project.
Last month, Council was presented with documents to consider awarding S.T. Wooten the contract. At the meeting, Leland’s assistant manager asked to delay until this month for the town’s attorney to review the contract more thoroughly.
The town must notify S.T. Wooten of its intent to proceed by August 7. Leland’s finance department, according to the town’s Capital Improvement Plan passed last month, is concerned about the high cost of the project.
Leland Town Council will meet at its regular meeting Thursday, July 18, beginning at 6 p.m. at Leland Town Hall.
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