4. Update - US Highway 93 Southe >�
City of Kalispell Public Works Department
Post Office Box 1997, Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 - Telephone (406)758-7720, Fax (406)758-7831
MEMORANDUM
4 March 2004
To: Chris A. Kukulski, City Manager
From: James C. Hansz, P.E., Director of Public W
Subject: Update on US 93 Project Construction
In January MDT let a contract to JTL Group of Kalispell for construction of US 93
highway improvements from Ashley Creek into Kalispell. Much to our surprise they have moved
with uncharacteristic speed in concluding all the contracting formalities so that JTL is set to
begin work on 15 March. First item of business is installation of the City's utilities. Construction
management for this work is the responsibility of the City, because they are our utilities. The
work plan calls for 6-day work weeks with 10 hours each day in order to complete work by 15
June. We are somewhat skeptical this can be done so fast, but will hope they succeed. An MDT
pre -construction meeting is set for 11 March.. We expect to receive a more refined schedule at
that meeting.
Construction management of utility installation is the City's responsibility. As previously
indicated, rather than bring on board staff to handle this task we have planned to sub -out the
work to a consultant, like was done for the water installations on Main Street when the
Main/Idaho intersection was reconstructed. We have prepared RFP/RFQ packages and sent them
to several capable consultants, including the utility design firm, Forsgren. Responses to our
RFP/RFQ are due by 10 March and we hope to have a firm on board soon thereafter. Responses
are being based on the preliminary schedule given to us by MDT and the three City/MDT
agreements that were recently signed for this project.
The Finance Department is moving ahead with the arrangements necessary to secure
funds and will report on this separately.
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