By GINA KINSLOW
EDMONTON — A project to replace a low-water bridge damaged in a tornado in 2008 has been temporarily put on hold.
Bids to replace the Jack Sparks Bridge were opened Tuesday morning during the Metcalfe County Fiscal Court’s meeting.
Three companies submitted bids, but not all three bid the same type of bridge. Two were for less expensive low-water bridges, while one was for an upright bridge. Of the three companies that submitted bids, only Mick-Murf Construction Inc. of Bowling Green submitted a bid for an upright bridge. Haydon Bridge Company Inc. of Springfield and Lee’s Construction of Knob Lick submitted bids for low-water bridges.
“Really we’ve only got one bid we can go with,” said magistrate Danny Shive.
The fiscal court has applied for monies through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fund the replacement of the bridge, but has yet to learn how much the county will receive.
Magistrates had specified they wanted an upright bridge instead of a low-water bridge, but it was mentioned during the meeting that the county may have to build a low-water bridge instead.
“We may have to go that route if the money doesn’t come through. We’re going to have to do something here until we find out how much money we’re going to get or whatever. We can’t do anything until we find out that,” said magistrate Dale Rowlett. “Judge, if we table this, can you find out about that, what they are actually proposing? Right now we’re talking about two different things.”
Judge-executive Greg Wilson said he would look into it and agreed with Rowlett that the bids varied.
“It almost looks like everybody has bid something different,” Wilson said.
Magistrates agreed to table action on the issue until Wilson speaks with contractors about their bids and checks with FEMA to find out much money the county may receive for the project.
The fiscal court has been trying for several months to get the Jack Sparks bridge repaired.
The fiscal court awarded a bid to Mustang Construction in 2008 to construct a low-water bridge.
“After 10 months he didn’t complete the project, so we moved on with somebody else,” Wilson said. “That’s the reason we are rebidding it now. We got FEMA approval to build an upright bridge.”
