Demolition, site work, paving and renovation of a bridge / tunnel in Springfield, Missouri. Completed plans call for the demolition of a bridge / tunnel; for site work for a bridge / tunnel; for paving for a bridge / tunnel; and for the renovation of a bridge / tunnel.

https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/05/17/jefferson-avenue-footbridge-given-four-options-for-rehabilitation/73722695007/ City, unsure how much to spend, offers four options for Jefferson Avenue Footbridge rehab The historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge on Commercial Street has been awaiting repairs and rehabilitation for eight years. Now that bidding for the project has concluded, next steps are still uncertain. The footbridge, which connects Chase Street and Commercial Street, stretches 562 feet above 13 tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard. It has been closed since March 2016 when a routine inspection discovered safety concerns. Due to its age, the footbridge is in need of ADA upgrades, repairs from corrosion and replacement of lead-based paint. The city received one bid on the project from Branco Enterprises Inc. As the work unfolds, the city still must determine how much it is willing to spend on the bridge and how far the rehabilitation should go. To help in that process, the city held a community information session Thursday evening to introduce neighbors and nearby business owners to four possible paths forward and gather feedback before bringing a plan to Springfield City Council. Four options vary in price, lifecycle Springfield Director of Public Works Dan Smith presented the four options to consider, with the project including two alternates for flexibility. One factor subject to change is the south-side approach, with an option to remove that portion of the original bridge structure. The other factor is to provide a paint "overcoat," which means that instead of removing the existing paint, it would be painted over. Both of these options reduce contractor risk and therefore also the cost. Here are the four options presented: Option Price Details A $8.5 million Removes approach and uses overcoat paint method. B $9.5 million Includes approach but uses overcoat paint method. C $9.9 million Removes approach but uses full paint system. D $10.8 million Includes approach and full paint system. Options using just the overcoat paint face the shortest lifecycle before major maintenance is necessary, roughly 5-10 years, while the full paint system extends this to 20-25 years. In the case of the approach removal, the stairs would be moved closer to the bridge. Although removal of the approach opens up plaza space, it does mean removing a part of the existing historical structure, something that some in attendance Thursday were wary of doing. The bridge has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2003. Smith said the city can also rebid the project or wait to rebid the project but noted that delaying construction further than it has already been delayed would not be beneficial, particularly with prices not expected to decline. Where is the money coming from Due to inflation, all projects are costing more money. When the project went out for initial bids in 2021, the city had estimated the rehabilitation to cost $3.2 million but bids came in over double that amount. Now, these amounts have again grown. Because of the age and nature of the structure, the project is also complex, labor intensive and risky for contractors to take on. Currently, the city has secured $8.4 million for the project, with $7.8 million coming from the state, $50,000 from the Commercial Club and the rest from local sales tax funds. The state money does not have a deadline for expenditure. More:With funding in place, Jefferson Avenue Footbridge supporters hope for swift repairs At the upcoming Monday night's council meeting, an ordinance regarding the issuance of bonds for several city projects will be presented to council for a first reading. Those projects include the Springfield Art Museum Phase 1 funding, renovations at Historic City Hall, acquisition of a new building for Workforce Development and the footbridge. The bonding package includes the bridge to allow the city flexibility to "fund the gap" in the case a more expensive option is selected. The four rehabilitation options will be presented to council at its Tuesday meeting May 21 at 11:30 a.m. which will include the feedback gathered from the community on their preferred method moving forward. City representatives noted that the project is expected to begin construction in spring next year with completion targeted for fall 2025, if a bid is accepted. ______________________________________________________ https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/local/ozarks/2024/04/09/springfield-repairs-jefferson-avenue-footbridge-likely-to-start-next-year/73248920007/ City gives contractors more time to submit bids for Jefferson Avenue Footbridge repair Long-awaited repairs for the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge are in the works — just moving along at a different timeline than initially expected. The city is extending the deadline for contractors to submit bids to rehabilitate the historic footbridge, which has been closed for eight years. The pedestrian bridge, which connects Chase Street and Commercial Street, stretches 562 feet above 13 tracks of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard. The bridge is in need of upgrades and replacements after corrosion that posed safety concerns was discovered. Funding has been a major obstacle, however, until the past summer, when Governor Mike Parson approved $8 million in the state budget to go toward the repairs. The contractor bids were at first due Tuesday, April 9, but that deadline has been extended for two weeks to Tuesday, April 23 at 10:30 a.m. With the extension, the city issued an addendum to the original bid that clarifies some parts of the project. ______________________________________________________________________________________ This project consists of the rehabilitation of the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge. The existing structure will be rehabilitated according to the plans, which consist of 25,066 pounds of structural steel, removal and replacement of wood decking, installing two elevators, replacement of stairs, and lighting for the structure. A certified or cashier's check or bid bond in the amount of 5 percent of the bid shall be submitted with each proposal. Note all labor shall be paid Missouri Prevailing Wages. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive irregularities in bids. The City is committed to providing opportunities to DBE, MBE, and WBE prime, general, and subcontractors and encourages such business enterprises to submit responses. Any questions pertaining to these Contract Documents, plans or specifications for this project should be directed to Public Works - Transportation Engineering Division at the following number: (417) 864-1932. Interpretations or clarifications considered necessary in response to such questions will be issued by Addenda mailed or delivered to all parties recorded by the Engineer as having received the Bidding Documents. Questions received less than four (4) calendar days prior to the date for opening of bids will not be answered. Only questions answered by formal written Addenda will be binding. Oral and other interpretations or clarifications will be without legal effect. The City of Springfield, Missouri hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, ancestry, or national origin in consideration for an award. All questions should be asked in writing and submitted before 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2024.