Contract awarded to improve Whitmore Street

The Tucumcari City Commission unanimously awarded to Versatile Construction Co. of Tucumcari a construction contract to improve nine blocks of Whitmore Street between College Avenue and the U.S. 54 frontage road at its meeting on Thursday.

As currently planned, work will consist of removing and replacing pavement and installation of wheelchair ramps at intersections, according to bid documents.

Work on the project is expected to start in June, Donvil Worthington, an engineer for the engineering contractor, Forgrens Associates of Albuquerque, said.

Versatile's winning bid totalled about $340,000 and was the only bid submitted, according to bid documents. Pacheco Construction of Tucumcari is a subcontractor. Project costs will be covered by $196,000 in grant funds, with the remainder to come from tax dollars and in-kind contributions from the city, said Dennis Dysart, city finance manager.