Memorandum 

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

Jonathan Douglas

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules

 

CC:

David L. Corliss, Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Dena Mezger, Shoeb Uddin

Date:

February 28, 2008

 

RE:

N. 2nd Street & Locust Street

Geometric Intersection Improvements

City Project No. 27-G15-505(S)

State Project No. 23 U-2041-01

 

On February 20, 2008 KDOT opened bids for the N. 2nd & Locust intersection reconstruction project; NO BIDS WERE RECEIVED.

 

There were twelve plan holders which included both general contractors and subcontractors.  Staff contacted a few of the general contractors to find out why they did not submit a bid.  Comments included:

§         Schedule was too short; more time was needed.

§         Concern with the excavation needed for the installation of the water main and storm sewer lines.  The storm sewer excavation is deep (the railroad underpass is drained through this line).  The soil conditions are sandy and there was concern that a deep excavation in sandy soil presented some risk.

§         Maintaining traffic through construction is difficult because it restricts the work area; there was concern that the deep excavation would compound this difficulty even further. 

 

At this point it is recommended that the project not proceed until after the KTA project is completed (2011).  Staff will work with the engineer and contractors to improve the plan, sequence, and schedule.