Project progress discussed at council meeting
Lack of progress on the $1.3 million Argonne Road construction project raised concerns at the regular Millwood City Council meeting Monday night.
“As of Friday there were 18 working days, and the contractor did not work eight of those days,” Matt Gills, project manager, said. “From the city’s standpoint, that is unacceptable.”
Gillis assured the council Welch Comer was doing everything in the power given to it by the city to get contractor Red Diamond back to work. He said the only authority the city has comes at the end of 70 days when the city can charge the contractor $1,800 each day it goes over schedule.
Red Diamond President Mike Schimmels, not present at the meeting, said in an interview on Wednesday that construction was delayed because of engineering curb design issues. These issues delayed construction for three to four days. He noted the delay is also caused in part by having to give concrete two days to cure properly. A rain delay in May also put the crews a little behind schedule.
“We’ll get it done within the time frame, and probably sooner than anticipated,” Schimmels said. “We haven’t been late on one yet.”
Next Monday, traffic will be diverted to the west side with construction beginning on the east side. Schimmels said his firm will work extra hours next week to complete the concrete intersection at Empire.
“The best thing is just to get it done,” said Jeff Postlewait, owner of Rocket Bakery, 3315 N. Argonne Road. He claims he’s lost 60 percent of his business due to the construction. “It’s been a major impact.”
After tabling a decision at Monday’s meeting, the council awarded the sidewalk enhancement project, and six alternates, including pedestrian bulb-outs to contractor Cameron-Reilly during a special meeting held Wednesday. Total cost of the project is $146,873. The city agreed to pay $26,707 of that total.
Red Diamond, the lowest bidder, was disqualified because it did not fill out a bid proposal signature form.
The city bypassed paving the east side of Argonne because an easement has not been secured from Inland Empire Paper, which was the alternate ranked higher than the pedestrian bulb-outs.
“They are not objecting to the easement,” Millwood attorney Brian Werst said in reference to IEP’s position on granting the city an easement. “They are just not in a position to sign. There needs to be more time spent on what would happen on that section of land, and what rights would be granted under the easement.”
The council decided to hold two meetings per month during the duration of the Argonne road project. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 15 at Millwood City Hall, 9103 E. Frederick Ave.