Cape County to advertise bids for roadwork

The Cape Girardeau County Commission on Monday passed a motion to advertise for bids to prepare four county roads for paving.

County roads 525, 401, 506 and 383 are primarily gravel roads that will be widened, graded and repaired. Scott Bechtold, county highway administrator, said the roads will likely be paved next year, contingent upon the amount of funding made available to highway projects.

County Road 326 was listed as an alternate project, depending upon the extent and cost of work needed to ready the other four roads.

Purcell Tire and Rubber Co. of Potosi, Mo., was awarded the winning bid for supplying automotive, truck and machinery tires to the highway department. Because there was only one bidder for the equipment, Bechtold prepared a comparison of Purcell Tire's bid to comparable equipment sent out for bid last year. Bechtold said that tire prices have risen overall and that department heads have the option to purchase from the winning bid list or shop around for a lower price. The bid award is effective through July 31.

Last week, renovations in the County Administrative Building uncovered an unexpected problem requiring additional repairs. The floor in the recorder's office, highway department and commissioners' office had been laid over a ramp that had been leveled with dirt and covered with a non-load-bearing slab. Over time, the soil fill has settled, creating a depression below the floor. Bids from local companies were solicited by fax, and SEMO Mudjacking & Piering was awarded the job Monday. Stabilization of the floor, at a cost of $7,881.79, will start next week.

salderman@semissourian.com

388-3648

Pertinent address:

1 Barton Square, Jackson, MO