Teichert wins levee contract

Work on the final phase of a levee improvement project in Yuba County should begin in the spring following a contract awarded Tuesday to Teichert Construction.

Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority awarded Teichert a contract for work to build a setback levee along six miles of the Feather River from Olivehurst to Plumas Lake.

The decision to award the contract was delayed at last week’s meeting because Teichert’s bid for the work was roughly $47.5 million, substantially lower than the $54.7 million bid submitted by Nordic Industries.

Director Mary Jane Griego initially questioned whether Teichert understood the detail that goes in to work on a levee.

“I wanted to make sure Teichert understood the combination of moisture and dirt at the top of the levee,” Griego said. “There is a lot of moving dirt, but when it comes to the top of the levee, there has to be the right combination, and if it’s done wrong, there is a lot of work to do again.”

The savings Teichert was able to provide TRLIA will come as a result of the third stage, which includes construction of the levee. Griego said that because Teichert is experienced at moving dirt, the company knows what it’s doing, but that the savings is a result of the equipment.

“They’re bringing in equipment from Southern California, which basically moves more dirt in less time,” Griego said.

TRLIA directors unanimously approved awarding Teichert a contract for the first part of the setback levee for $67,200, primarily for engineering and design work. The second and third parts will be awarded to the company in February and March, respectively. Money and permits prohibit the entire contract to be awarded at once.

TRLIA Executive Director Paul Brunner said construction should begin in the spring. Once completed, the improvements are expected to bring 200-year flood protection to that area.

The concept for a six-mile setback levee - a completely new levee roughly a half mile from where it currently lies - was approved by TRLIA in February. The entire project is estimated to cost $191.8 million, also including work on the levee, as well as land acquisition for construction.

As a result of the bids, all parties involved said they are pleased with the outcome and look forward to starting work.

“We gave it our best,” said Gary Johns, estimation manager for Teichert. “It’s a huge amount of earthwork. We were looking for work and we went for it. We are very pleased with the way things went today.”

Appeal-Democrat reporter Andrea Koskey can be reached at 749-4709 or at akoskey@appeal-democrat.com