At last week’s Bridgeport Utility Board meeting, City Engineer Tom Brown told members of that group that the contractor that had the winning bid for the storm water project at Compton Park wanted to begin as soon as possible. Apparently, the contractor wasn’t just giving Brown lip service.

 

Work to correct a portion of recently installed storm drainage that has failed and resulted in a sinkhole actually began this weekend with workers noticed on Saturday bringing in equipment and moving earth. The company in question doing the work is Solid Rock Excavating of Albright.

 

Solid Rock was one of three companies that bid on the project. Although one bid was thrown out for being irregular, there was a huge discrepancy in cost between Solid Rock’s bid of $38,400 and Bear Contracting’s bid of $118,800.

 

During the Nov. 19 Bridgeport Utility Board meeting, members questioned Brown about the discrepancy. Brown it’s not unusual to see differing bids; many times the higher end bids arriving from a contractor that has a full work load.

 

Still, Brown said because of the discrepancy he checked references and double checked with the contractor themselves to make sure all was in order. He said such was the case after discussion and that the contractor “really wants to get started.” After that, the Utility Board unanimously approved the bid.

 

Despite the massive amount of pipes, equipment and earth that has already been moved, Compton Park will remain open. Although the weather change that is about to arrive will likely curtail serious usage, those utilizing the walking trail generally do so all year. The biggest issue with the trail is a substantial sinkhole that formed at the edge of a portion of the paved trail.

 

“The walking trail will remain open,” said Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton.  “We are asking those that utilize the trail to exercise caution in the sections near the work area.”

 

Earlier this year, city staff replaced the storm drains throughout Compton Park. Although most of the repairs have held, this section failed and due to its depth required the project to be bid out to a contractor.