MoDOT awards bid for next phase of 34/72 widening

~ The bid from Penzel Construction was for the same amount that was rejected in November.

Just a few months after rejecting a bid for the same amount, the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a construction contract on Wednesday for the second phase of improvements to Route 34/72 in Jackson.

Phase two of the project includes widening and resurfacing from one mile west of the Route 25 intersection to 2.2 miles west of Route 25. It also includes adding signals, curb, gutter and storm sewers.

The commission awarded the more than $7.9 million contract to Penzel Construction Company, Inc. of Jackson.

The commission rejected bids in November, saying the bids were too high. Penzel Construction had the lowest and same initial bid in November but was not awarded the contract.

Missouri Department of Transportation's project manager Eric Krapf said the project was originally estimated to cost more than $5.2 million. A year lapsed from the time of the original estimate and the time when the project went out for bids. During that time, asphalt costs doubled, Krapf said.

Krapf said MoDOT restructured the contract for bidders to use either asphalt or a concrete alternative for the paving project. But no contractor bid using the concrete alternative, he said.

"We made the effort to try and control costs as much as we could," Krapf said. "The bids we got from Penzel are pretty indicative for what we're seeing these days, and there's nothing else we could do but award the contract."

Work on phase two is anticipated to begin in May with completion expected in the spring of 2007. During construction, traffic will be impacted with lane closures.

"We urge motorists to use extreme caution near the work zones," said resident engineer Darius Dowdy. "Once details are finalized with the contractor, we'll keep motorists updated with any change in traffic."

Phase one of the three-mile upgrade project was completed earlier this year. Phase three, which is 1.5 miles east of the Highway 34/72 intersection, is planned for fiscal year 2008.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 246