March 21, 2023 |
Photo – Spring Avenue Bore Pit – Bigfoot99 file photo
In Saratoga, work will resume as early as next week on the Spring Avenue Waterline Replacement and Repaving Project.
Lewis and Lewis, the contractor hired for the job, has been racking up late fees, called liquidated damages, of $1,750 a day since they failed to meet last October’s deadline. The contractors left town when freezing temperatures made it impossible to continue the project.
Representatives from Lewis and Lewis met with the town yesterday to discuss when work will resume. Project Superintendent Justin Reed and supervisor Rod McCormick told Mayor Chuck Davis and Impact Joint Powers Board Chairman Richard Raymer the job will restart next week, weather permitting.
Yesterday was the first official meeting between the contractors and the new town council. Construction Manager Caleb Tygum explained how his crew plans to handle the job. Tygum said McCormick will finish replacing the pipe while Reed will oversee the remaining work.
Lewis and Lewis had replaced the waterline from 4th Street to the east side of Wyoming 130 before the job was paused last fall. In preparation for the winter shutdown, Lewis and Lewis didn’t pave Spring Avenue, but left the roads passible to local traffic. With work resuming, the town has completely closed the roads. Mayor Davis said the Saratoga Police Department will keep an eye on the street to ensure people heed the barriers. He told the contractors to ask Streets Department Supervisor John Lasko for any assistance needed.
T O Engineers is the firm hired by the town to design and oversee the Spring Ave project. T O’s Josh Morris asked Tygum when their asphalt supplier would resume operation. Tygum said WYDOT projects required the asphalt plant to restart early. He said he’ll receive pavement April 3rd with paving crews arriving in town a few weeks later.
Raymer suggested the town and Lewis and Lewis communicate mainly through Morris since his firm is handling the engineering. Morris agreed but said the contractors should ask Lasko for anything they need from the town.
The contractors and the town were having weekly meetings prior to the winter shutdown. With a new crew and a focus on communication, everyone agreed the meetings were no longer necessary.
The contractors are confident that, once work resumes, the job will be finished within a few weeks.
