KR Homes LLC of Winlock has been awarded the construction contract for the Southeast Hilltop Drive draining improvement project after their bid was unanimously approved by the Chehalis City Council during its Monday, Sept. 9, meeting.
The City of Chehalis opened the bidding process on Aug. 10 and closed it on Aug. 26 after receiving nine bids. All nine bids were opened at the same time on Aug. 26 in accordance with state law, according to Chehalis Capital Improvement Project Manager Celest Wilder.
The highest bid was $189,620, while KR Homes’ bid had the lowest bid for the project at $80,338.50.
“The overall engineer’s estimate for the project was a little under the low bid at $70,982,” Wilder told the council.
She recommended the council approve KR Homes’ bid total along with a 20% contingency budget of $16,161.50 for a total project cost not to exceed $96,500. The council approved that final amount.
The project is being done to try to address stormwater drainage issues residents on Southeast Hilltop Drive and subsequent downstream properties deal with.
According to the council’s agenda report, the project is being funded through the stormwater capital fund in Chehalis’ budget, and is expected to be completed before the end of 2024.
In an email to The Chronicle, Wilder stated the approved bid now needs to be signed by the contractor, which will then develop a timeline as to when exactly the project is expected to start and be completed.
For more information, call the Chehalis Public Works Department at 360-740-7536.
