W.O. 16-07, Interstate 90 Water Main Crossing Project, will install approximately 3,000 lineal feet of 24-inch diameter trunk water main from the intersection of Gabel Road and South 24th Street West to the intersection of Elysian Road and East Lane.  Bid options include installing a casing pipe by either the jack and bore or the directional drilling method for crossing under Hogan Slough, MRL railroad tracks, Interstate 90 and the South Frontage Road.  Alternates for different casing and carrier pipe materials are also bid options.

After being advertised in the Billings Times and on the City website March 10, 17 and 24, staff opened bids on March 29.  Staff recommends that City Council delay awarding a contract until the April 25 meeting date in order to give staff additional time to review the bids.

There is no viable alternative to delaying the contract award.  Staff is not prepared to make its award recommendation and needs more time to evaluate bids for this complex project.  State law requires the Council to take action on bids at the first meeting following the bid opening and delaying the award until the following meeting meets that requirement.

Funding for this water main extension project has been approved by City Council in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  Funding is sufficient for the engineering design and construction administration portion of the project as well as for project construction.  The project will use water funds.
 

	Water Main Extension
Project Budget	$1,900,000
Previously Encumbered	$349,620
This Contract	to be determined
Budget Remaining	to be determined

Staff recommends that the City Council delay awarding a contract for the Interstate 90 water main crossing project until the April 25 meeting in order to give staff additional time to review the bids.