PORT TOWNSEND — The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners opened bids Monday for rerouting part of Undie Road around a section with significant damage in West Jefferson County.
The commissioners hope to award the bid at their next regular meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, July 18 in chambers at Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St.
The 0.8-mile stretch of Undie Road on the north bank of the Bogachiel River south of Forks was severely damaged during fall and winter storms and is now reduced to one barely navigable lane.
Several options have been discussed by commissioners since the damage occurred, including considering canceling the job and forcing the 13 people living beyond the damaged section of road to fend for themselves.
The current project is intended to create an alternate route that entails using 1.3 miles of existing state Department of Natural Resources road and another 0.9 miles of steep terrain construction.
Estimate
The engineer’s estimate is $926,150, of which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide $209,000.
The three bidders from lowest to highest are:
■ Interwest Construction Inc., Burlington: $905,310
■ Bruch and Bruch Construction, Port Angeles: $919,645
■ Jordan Excavating Inc., Port Angeles: $1,070,000
Representatives for all three companies were present for the bid opening.
Jefferson County Public Works Director Monte Reinders said the Public Works teams will begin exploring the bids immediately, with the contract awarded to the lowest responsive bidder.
The county is required to award the bid within 45 days for the three-month job, but the award will be expedited in order to finish the road prior to the rainy season.
Reinders said the goal is to get the contracts signed in July and in process by Aug. 1, a timeframe which all bidders said they can meet.
Permits
Also necessary is the acquisition of permits from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the state Department of Natural Resources and the Jefferson County Department of Community Development.
“Everyone is aware of the tight time frame,” Reinders said.
In order to stop the damage from continuing, construction must be complete by the beginning of the rainy season, usually in mid-November.
In June, the commissioners were considering two options: to halt construction and abandon the project or continue in order to maintain momentum, which Reinders favored.
Commissioners Kathleen Kler and Phil Johnson voted to enter the bid process while Commissioner David Sullivan was opposed because he said to proceed would endanger projects that affect a larger number of people.
“We are doing what is needed for the property,” Reinders said. “There’s not too many options out there.”
According to the plan, an alternate route will be constructed that will follow existing Natural Resources roads for approximately 1.3 miles, at which point a new road will be constructed for approximately 0.9 miles and connect with Undie Road beyond the damaged area.
Reinders reported that Natural Resources rights of way will cost the county $138,500, with a private parcel’s acquisition authorized at $36,000.
Any delay would postpone completion until 2017 with further delays possible if the county spends too much time seeking outside funds, Reinders said.
As the process proceeds, the board intends to approach Clallam County Commissioner Bill Peach; state Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Sequim; Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark; and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, with requests for financial support.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
