$1 million Western Parkway project attracts 15 bids

Fifteen companies bid on the $1 million Western Parkway project in Yuba City — with the low bid by a Modesto firm that is recommended for the contract when the Yuba City City Council takes up the matter tonight.

George Reed Inc. of Modesto submitted the low bid of $836,782 while Sierra National Construction of Carmichael's bid of $1.7 million was the highest among the 15 contractors, according to Diana Langley, deputy public works director for Yuba City.

The estimated $1 million project includes an additional 10 percent contingency and city staff costs for construction management and inspection.

Plans for the project, intended to ease traffic congestion at George Washington Boulevard and Colusa Highway, won City Council approval in November.

Councilman Tej Maan said Monday that strong interest by contractors in projects follows the end of the building boom during the last decade.

"It's been this way since the slow years," Maan said. "We've been getting good bids."

Two Yuba City companies and one from Marysville bid on the project as well.

Darin Gale, economic development director for Yuba City, said municipal officials cannot give a preference to local companies for projects funded by state or federal money — such as the Western Parkway.

The City Council in June 2011 approved the environmental review for the project after taking out a traffic barrier on Royo Ranchero Road. Residents near the project, as well as representatives of Twin Cities Church, had raised concerns about the proposed barrier.

Work on the parkway is expected to start in April, with completion scheduled for September.

George Musallam, public works director for the city, has said the Western Parkway will help relieve traffic congestion.

"It is a big step," he said in November.

CONTACT Ryan McCarthy at rmccarthy@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4780. Find him on Facebook at /ADrmccarthy or on Twitter at @ADrmccarthy.