Bids are in for the US 431 and South 11th Street road projects. Here are the numbers.

The apparent low bids are in on both Gadsden-area road projects. Vulcan Materials bid $5,715,319.30 to widen and resurface 5 miles of US 431. Lambert Contracting bid $2,148,030.24 to realign and rebuild South 11th Street, where work could start in late September or early October. Neither contract has been awarded.

GADSDEN, AL – The two road projects GadsdenThrive has been tracking toward construction now have price tags. The Alabama Department of Transportation opened bids in late July on the US 431 safety widening north of Gadsden and on the South 11th Street realignment near the James Martin Wildlife Park, and the apparent low bids are in for both.

ALDOT spokesman Seth Burkett provided the bid figures, and Gadsden Director of Engineering Heath Williamson, P.E., filled in the timeline and design details on South 11th Street, which is a city project even though it went out through the state.

Both bids are still described as “apparent” low bids. Neither contract has been formally awarded, and no start date is set on either one until the winning contractor is issued a notice to proceed.

US 431: a 5-mile safety widening for $5.7 million

The larger of the two projects, listed under ALDOT project number NH-HSIP-0001(656), covers safety widening, micro-milling, resurfacing and new traffic striping on SR-1 (US-431) from the Calhoun County line to the intersection of Banks Street in Gadsden, a stretch of 5 miles.

The apparent low bid is $5,715,319.30 from Vulcan Materials Asphalt and Construction LLC, based on Green Valley Road in Glencoe.

The project is pending review and award of the contract, Burkett said. “Start date remains unknown until after notice to proceed is given and we have an opportunity to discuss with the contractor,” he wrote.

South 11th Street: a $2.1 million realignment near the wildlife park

The second project, ALDOT number STPSU-CRPGD-2815(256), is shorter but more involved. It covers roadway improvements and resurfacing on South 11th Street from a point near the Black Creek bridge to the intersection of Randall Street: a partial realignment along with widening, planing, resurfacing, grading, drainage, paving, sidewalk installation and traffic striping. The length is 0.358 mile.

The apparent low bid is $2,148,030.24 from Lambert Contracting LLC of Hollywood, Alabama.

Burkett noted that while the work went through the state letting, it belongs to the city. “This is a City of Gadsden project through their MPO, so it involves federal money, and that’s why it’s in the state letting,” he wrote, pointing to Williamson as the person who knows it best.

What the South 11th Street work changes, and when it starts

GadsdenThrive reported Aug. 12 that the South 11th Street project was heading toward a fall start with sidewalks the full length. The bid figures now put a cost on both jobs and show how the smaller one compares to the state highway work.

The low bid is under ALDOT review for award, Williamson said, and construction typically begins within 60 days of the bid, which would put the start around late September or early October. He expects the work to take between nine and 12 months, depending on weather.

The realignment is the heart of the project. “The alignment change occurs just north of the James Martin Wildlife Park entrance and is designed to increase the curve radius so the radius isn’t as sharp, which will also increase the line of sight for both drivers and pedestrians,” Williamson said.

Sidewalks are included for the full length. An 8-foot multi-use path will be extended on the west side from the bridge over Black Creek to the James Martin Wildlife Park. From the park to Randall Street, both the east and west sides will get a 5-foot sidewalk.

Drivers should expect a detour. Williamson said a detour will be installed near the start of construction until the new alignment is complete; the roadway will then reopen, with the final stages of construction finished under traffic.

How the two projects differ

The US 431 job is a straightforward safety and resurfacing project stretched over 5 miles of state highway, run by ALDOT. The South 11th Street job is a city project handled through the Gadsden Metropolitan Planning Organization, packing a realignment, drainage work and new sidewalks into roughly a third of a mile. That is why the smaller project carries a longer expected timeline and a more disruptive construction plan.

GadsdenThrive has been following ALDOT’s larger work in the county as well, including the I-59 reconstruction between Reece City and Collinsville. We will report the awarded contractors, confirmed start dates and any construction schedule for these two projects as ALDOT and the city finalize them.

Frequently asked questions

Who submitted the low bids?

Vulcan Materials Asphalt and Construction LLC of Glencoe had the apparent low bid on US 431 at $5,715,319.30. Lambert Contracting LLC of Hollywood, Alabama, had the apparent low bid on South 11th Street at $2,148,030.24. Neither contract has been formally awarded yet.

When will construction start?

No start date is set for US 431 until a notice to proceed is issued. On South 11th Street, the city’s engineer expects work to begin around late September or early October, roughly 60 days after the bid.

How long will South 11th Street take?

Between nine and 12 months, depending on weather, according to Gadsden Director of Engineering Heath Williamson.

Will South 11th Street stay open during construction?

A detour will be in place from near the start of construction until the new alignment is finished. The road then reopens, with the remaining work completed under traffic.

Are sidewalks part of the South 11th Street project?

Yes, for the full length. An 8-foot multi-use path goes in on the west side from the Black Creek bridge to the James Martin Wildlife Park, and 5-foot sidewalks go in on both sides from the park to Randall Street.