Aldermen are questioning the Main Street contractor’s time line following more than a week that no crews were working on site.
Representatives of Magruder Paving LLC, Troy, are maintaining an April 5 deadline date even though work was stalled for nearly two weeks due to winter weather.
“How do you keep losing days and the completion date stays the same?” asked Aldermen Dustin Bailey.
Last month, Donnie Mantle with Magruder Paving, submitted a project time line of early April. In the updated time line submitted to aldermen Feb. 28, Mantle stated that the sidewalk subcontractor has been onsite one day during a two-week time period because of snow and winter weather.
Alderman Bob Schmuke said the city wanted to avoid hindering people from entering downtown businesses during the Main Street project, but the delay has meant no sidewalks in some areas. That includes the United Bank of Union and Franklin County Judicial Center.
“The two busiest places in town — the courthouse and bank — have been torn up for two weeks now,” Schmuke said. “That’s just not acceptable.”
Following is a tentative time line for the project:
March 1-8 — Sidewalks on north side of Main Street from Washington Avenue to Jefferson Avenue, and drive approach;
March 1-6 — Corner by Franklin County Judicial Center formed and ready to pour;
March 11-20 — Sidewalks, curbs and gutters on south side of Main Street from Oak Street to Mulberry Street;
March 18-26 — Sidewalks, curbs and gutters on north side of Main Street from Oak Street to Mulberry Street
March 18-22 — Sidewalks, curbs and gutters on south side of Main Street from Mulberry Street to Jefferson Avenue
March 21-29 — Sidewalks, curbs and gutters on north side of Main Street from Mulberry Street to Jefferson Avenue;
April 1-5 — Main Street cold mill and asphalt paving, and striping.
The initial deadline to complete the project was Dec. 15, according to city officials, however from that date through March 15, the city cannot assess damages for incomplete work.
There had been discussion about not allowing any work to be done during that time period, but officials agreed to allow crews to work if the weather permits it.
Liquidated damages can be assessed for work that is not complete by March 15.
The scope of the Main Street project includes a 2-inch asphalt overlay, concrete base repairs, new sidewalks and signs.
Included in the project is a roundabout at the intersection of Main Street and Independence Drive that has already been completed.
The overall project has been estimated to cost $2.2 million.
The project was estimated to cost $1.8 million, but the low bidder for the project was Magruder Paving which submitted a $2,247,000 bid.
