Big Walnut attracts four bidders

Four contractor groups have submitted bids for Part Two of the Big Walnut Augmentation/ Rickenbacker Interceptor (BWARI) sewer project in Ohio, US (T&TI, May, p7).

The project features 4.8km of 3.65m diameter sanitary sewer tunnel with a precast concrete segmental lining excavated by a slurry or EPB machine. The tunnel will have a corrosion proof final lining. The engineer's estimate for the work was US$89.16M and submissions were split, with two above and two below this figure.

The high bids were submitted by Affholder Inc. at US$89.38M and a joint venture consisting of Jay Dee/ Michels/Traylor at US$89.23M.

The two low bids significantly deviated from the budgeted cost. The Kenny /Shea/KM&M JV came in with US$81.15M, whereas the McNally /Kiewit JV submitted the lowest bid with its submission of US$78.66M.

A source said that contract award and notice to proceed are expected to be in 4Q this year for the project that also includes five shafts, installation of a major interconnecting structure to the existing 2.74m diameter Big Walnut Outfall and 1.6km of 1m diameter sewer pipe, by methods as diverse as open-cut, microtunnelling and pipejacking.

Design and construction management are by URS Corporation, with support from Lachel & Associates and HR Gray and Associates for design and management services.