MANKATO — A competitive road construction market has pushed down bids for Blue Earth County’s major summer projects, despite higher energy and metal prices.
Southern Minnesota Construction of Mankato won the Victory Drive extension project this summer with a bid of $4.27 million — more than 11 percent less than the county’s estimate. The company beat out C.S. McCrossan Construction of Maple Grove, which bid $4.86 million, within a percent of the estimate.
“There’s not a lot of work out there, so they’re bidding hard to keep their people working,” Forsberg said.
Jim Freeberg, operations manager for SMC, agreed: “It’s much more competitive this year and there’s a lot less projects. The bids are very much more competitive.”
There were only two bids for the project, which Freeberg attributed to its complexity, especially considering the fact traffic will continue to flow as work continues.
The third and final phase of Victory Drive is expected to open this fall.
For complete story, see the Wednesday, May 14, 2008, print edition of The Free Press or sign onto our e-edition.
Click here to access Free Press e-edition
Local News
Tough market keeps road bids down
- Local News
-
-
Suffering in Silence, Part 1: Mental illnesses set the perceived world off kilter
'I'm attracted to anxiety, like a magnet'
-
Robbery suspect abandons plea deal
'Man in Black' spree involved 13 bank robberies
-
Locally-made 'Memorial Day' wins honors
Much of film shot in and around Le Center, Mankato quarry
-
Mankato man, 19, thrown from vehicle
A 19-year-old Mankato man was seriously injured when his Chevy Blazer left Highway 66 early Saturday morning and he was ejected from the vehicle.
-
80 breeds free to see at annual dog show
The Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter went to the dogs in the most literal sense as the site for the Key City Kennel Club’s All Breed Dog Show that began on Friday.
-
Krohn column: Beauty of history seen on byway
Last week, during a tour of the Lower Sioux Agency and battle sites including Birch Coulee and Fort Ridgely, it was easy to understand why the Dakota loved the valley.
-
Wendell Sande retiring: North Mankato has big shoes to fill
After Thursday, Wendell Sande will be trading in “City Administrator Sande” for a moniker that was never used even once at more than 500 city council meetings. For Maya and Kieren Sande, his 4-year-old and 2-year-old granddaughters, the big guy with the mustache and the penchant for building things is “Poppy.”
-
Ojanpa: Olson is a Stark reminder
But Olson isn’t the first MSU shining star to “defect” to Winona State. In 1983 Tom Stark did likewise, heading into much more duress than Olson faces and, ultimately, having his mission ended in a heartbeat.
-
Memorial Day observances planned
Veterans groups, posts and auxiliaries invite the public to participate in Memorial Day observances planned throughout the area Monday.
-
Accident: Lee Boulevard and Lookout Drive hill
At least one vehicle flipped over. Details forthcoming
- More Local News Headlines
-
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
