County OKs bid for Old Route 66 bridge

The Quay County Commission on Monday chose the lowest of three scaled-back bids to build a low-water bridge on Old Route 66 over San Jon Creek that still exceeded the engineer's estimate by more than $650,000.

Commissioners, on the recommendation of county manager Daniel Zamora and Stantec Engineering's Wayland Oliver, approved the $2.62 million bid from Vital Consulting Group of Albuquerque to build the bridge near the existing Bridge 1625 between San Jon and Endee. The 1931 bridge will be bypassed but left standing so Route 66 tourists can see it.

Vital's bid exceeded the engineer's estimate of $1.97 million by one-third.

Oliver, explaining the timeline for the project, said his company estimated the cost in fall 2019. Stantec's design was finished in December 2020. Acquiring certifications and studies - in part because it involved historic Route 66 - took all of 2021, to which the county requested and was granted an extension to use its state grant for the project. Shortages of materials due to supply-chain issues have led to higher costs for many construction projects across the U.S.

Oliver removed paving the approaches to the bridge to reduce costs. That cut Vital's initial bid by $630,000. He said paving could be done at a later date.

Other bidders on the project were El Terrero Construction at $2.86 million and Meridian Contracting at $3.36 million.

Though Zamora initially had described the higher-than-expected bids as "alarming" - an assessment of which Oliver agreed - he recommended approving Vital's bid.

"I'm excited to get the ball rolling," Zamora said.

After the meeting, Zamora said he would apply for additional state funding to address the shortfall in the initial grant for the bridge. He said other counties around the state are dealing with similar shortfalls with other projects.

In other business:

• During public comments, Tucumcari resident Joe Szaloy urged the county to take action to force motorists to slow their speeds on East Maple Avenue on the city's north edge.

Szaloy said for unknown reasons, traffic on the street has increased "a lot," with many drivers going 60 to 70 mph where the speed limit is 30 mph. He said no speed deterrent exists between Rock Island Street and U.S. 54. With several children living near that street, he fears the county or city will be responsible if a fatal accident occurs there. Littering also is a problem.

Complicating matters is uncertainty on who holds jurisdiction to the street. Zamora said it might be where the county and city boundary stops in the middle of the roadway.

• Commissioners approved a third-quarter report for the county's DWI Program. Administrator Andrea Shafer said she was exploring several advertisements to inform youths that consuming cannabis and driving still is a moving violation. "We don't want our youth to think it's OK to smoke marijuana and drive," she said.

• Commissioners approved Fire Protection Fund applications for nine rural fire stations and the county fire marshal's office for fiscal year 2023. County Fire Marshal Lucas Bugg said the amount on the application is a guaranteed minimum, with the state usually awarding more money.

The amounts by fire station: Bard-Endee, $123,338; Conservancy No. 1, $84,279; Conservancy No. 2, $54,483; Conservancy No. 3, $54,483; Forrest, $52,418; Jordan, $89,422; Nara Visa, $39,058; Porter, $52,418; Quay, $52,418; and county administration, $52,418.

• County finance director Cheryl Simpson said a work session would be held before the commission's next meeting on April 28 on the county's 2023 budget. She said she anticipated revenue would remain steady.

• Zamora said the Quay County Health Council would host a Narcan training session at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. April 21 at the courthouse, with free kits provided. Narcan is a nasal spray used as an emergency treatment with opioid overdoses. Those who wish to participate should email [email protected] or call (575) 815-4575.

• Commissioners approved a proclamation stating the month of May is Motorcycle Awareness Month.