Project may be delayed

The construction contract for the Grand Drive portion of the Bigfork Stormwater Project has been awarded, but delays in the process may mean that work cannot begin until spring.

The Flathead County Commissioners were originally expected to award the contract Sept. 14, but had been waiting on authorization to move forward from the Montana Department of Commerce’s Treasure State Endowment Program, one of the key funding agencies for this portion of the project.

The delay came when TSEP, which was finishing up examination of the environmental assessment, had to respond to public comments submitted from the 15-day public comment period.

After its review, TSEP determined that the environmental assessment was adequate, according to the final EA. The county received notification from TSEP on Monday, Oct. 25, that it could proceed on awarding the bids for the construction contract.

On Thursday, Oct. 28, the commissioners voted unanimously to award the bid to Nelcon, Inc., a Kalispell-based company, whose bid came in at $420,000. Commissioner Dale Lauman was not present.

Plans originally called for construction to start Oct. 4 and run for 40 days in the fall and 40 days in the spring. During the fall, work was to be done on the portion of the road from the Saddlehorn office north on Grand. This plan was based on feedback from property owners on Grand.

Officials said it is “iffy” as to whether any construction can still be done this fall.

“It’s pretty challenging. Nothing has been set up to move forward,” said Brett Walcheck of 48 North Civil Engineering Services. “The unknown challenge is the weather. We don’t know what Mother Nature has in store for us in the next six months.”

Walcheck said he estimated the issue would be back before the commissioners in about two weeks for the contracts to be signed.