Dutch Drive resurfacing still planned for this summer

Dutch Drive was originally paved in 2004 when the high school was built.

With a summer project “still a goal” for repairs and resurfacing of Dutch Drive, the Village Council acted in an abbreviated session on Monday night to authorize the Village Manager and Village President to sign and approve an MDOT contract to begin the bid process.

Wallace explained to Council that with bids are officially due in April, it was important to bring this matter to the table immediately despite the current health crisis, so that it could remain on the calendar and potentially be completed before school starts again in the fall. The resurfacing project will consist of hot mix asphalt and cold milling, from M-52 to Hibbard Street, including concrete ramp upgrades and pavement marking. The road was originally paved in 2004.

The total cost for the project is estimated at $396,900, of which $273,900 will come from federal Surface Transportation Funds and $99,200 from state TED funds. This leaves the projected cost to the village at $23,800, which has been budgeted for this fiscal year.

“But the environment is pretty ugly for road projects right now,” Wallace warned. “We may need to re-bid if it’s possible.”

Trustee Marty Way asked if the bids come in too high, would the state and federal grants be adjusted, or could the village re-negotiate with bidders. Wallace responded that a 10% overage might be workable with the funding, but added that the village may have to come up with some extra cash to finance the project.

“Right now, we just want to keep on schedule as much as possible,” he concluded. “We don’t know what else might happen in the coming weeks and months.”

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.