Jackson approves $1.4 million contract for bridge replacement

The Jackson board of aldermen on Monday night approved a contract of nearly $1.4 million to replace a bridge on South Old Orchard Road, but not without some wrangling about the contractor.

The proposed contract for $1,388,756.60 for the bridge was with Lappe Cement Finishing of Friedheim.

The board approved the contract and accepted the bid, but only after voicing concerns about the current project in light of previous city projects completed by Lappe that some board members felt had been unsatisfactory.

Aldermen Dave Reiminger and Tim Welker entered nay votes, while the six remaining aldermen voted in favor of the motion.

The Missouri Department of Transportation also is expected to contribute $350,000 to the project.

The Jackson Civic Center will see some upgrades after two budget items were approved at the meeting.

The board approved a change order in the amount of $11,000 for better stone element construction for the Jackson Civic Center. Brockmiller Construction, Inc. of Farmington, Missouri, will handle the new stonework for the project.

Also approved was a bid for audio and video equipment installation from HD Media Systems of Cape Girardeau. The $45,340.70 will be used for the purchase and installation of "everything from projectors, screens, microphones, speaker systems, to amplifiers," said Public Works director Rodney Bollinger.

He said the new equipment will enable the space to be used for events ranging from wedding receptions to business conferences.

The board also approved $49,500 to be paid to Allen & Hoshall of Memphis, Tennessee, for engineering and architechtural services for the Old Cape Road East electric line project. The project will affect about 3,800 feet of the electrical distribution system on east side of Jackson near Klaus Park.

"With it being approved tonight, we'll get them the notice to proceed, and they'll be able to start probably next week," said Don Schuette, director of Electric Utilities for the city.

tgraef@semissourian.com

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