Caledonia Argus

No surprise: bids high for county road projects

Posted: 6/15/04

Bids for five highway projects came in about five percent higher than estimated, Houston County Engineer Allen Henke told the county board at its June 8 meeting.

ìEverything is up this year,î he said, referring to things like the price of gas and gravel.

Mathy Construction of Onalaska was the only company to bid on the work, at a total price of $1,432,487. Henke had estimated the cost at $1,363,610. The board approved it unanimously.

The projects, all or near County Road 3 between Caledonia and Brownsville, are described below.

ï The 3.5 mile stretch of road that was reconstructed last year will be paved.

ï Wiebke Hill to County Road 32 will be ground and paved.

ï The first mile of County Road 24 off County Road 3 will be ground and paved.

ï The river hill leading to Brownsville will be widened, ground, and paved.

ï County Road 3 in the City of Brownsville will be repaved after the present pavement is removed.

The work cannot start until after July 4, Henke said, but has to start by the second week of August. He estimated it will take at least six weeks.

Fourth district commissioner Dave Corcoran joked that traffic will be moving speedily on the new road when it is done. Sam Heintz, who lives on County Road 3, will have trouble getting to his mailbox, he said.

ìThen the sheriff will have some patrol work to do,î Henke said.

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