CARIBOU, Maine — City councilors voted 5 to 2 Monday night to approve paying $119,420 to DuBois & King, LLC for engineering services related to reconstruction of the River Road.
Rain and runoff severely cracked and damaged the pavement and undermined about a quarter mile portion of the roadway in the spring of 2018. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied requested funding to move or reconstruct the road, the city has since authorized temporary measures that included paying rent for residents to move out of their affected homes, buying some of the affected properties, and temporarily shoring up part of the damaged area to allow one-way traffic.
Last October, the consulting engineering firm of DuBois and King presented the city with four options to fix the road, and the councilors have selected the one that involves moving the road east of its current location, further from the Aroostook River. This option is the least expensive of the four at $1.2 million and involves demolishing three homes that have been purchased by the city.
Under the agreement the councilors approved Jan. 14, DuBois & King will perform a topographic survey; design and provide reconstruction specifications; obtain environmental permitting; and, in consultation with city officials, assist with the construction bidding process; provide general and construction administration, and provide technical oversight and quality assurance.
Before the vote, City Manager Dennis Marker advised the councilors that in order to complete the project this summer, the engineering work would have to begin in January so the city could obtain the most favorable construction bids in March or April.
He also acknowledged concerns that some thought the city should wait until after the spring thaw to better assess the situation before taking action. He added that if the engineering work and design phase were postponed until May, there was a possibility that construction bids still could be obtained by August and construction completed before next winter.
However, Marker also stated that “the primary concern with this amount of delay is the availability of contractors near the end of the 2019 construction season after their seasonal work plans have been set.”
Diane Gove, a Caribou resident who lives on the River Road, urged councilors during the public comment portion of the meeting to move sooner rather than later. She said some late changes in the scope or specifications of the project could possibly still be addressed before construction and that waiting too late in the season might also add to the overall cost of the project.
Councilor Joan Theriault motioned to accept the agreement and, with the motion on the floor, Mayor Mark Goughan suggested waiting until May to see if the road’s condition worsens. He said that if the road continues to move this spring, then “by all means, we could put it out to bid.” He added that he does not believe there will be a problem finding contractors later in the year.
“I do believe the River Road should be repaired,” he said. But he said he also “would like to have more options before we spend $120,000.”
Deputy Mayor Nicole Cote said that while she is able to see both sides, it is important to start early as the bid process is lengthy, and she suggested not immediately awarding a contract after soliciting bids, as the scope could be adjusted if necessary.
“I know it doesn’t take care of the $120,000,” she said, “but at least it puts us in a position to make a decision and not have our hands tied later in the year.”
Councilors in the end voted 5-2 to authorize the funding for DuBois & King to proceed, with Goughan and Councilor Hugh Kirkpatrick opposed.
