Highway 89/69 project bids are higher than ADOT estimate

PRESCOTT - The Arizona Department of Transportation could move from one Highway 89 construction project - the overpass at highways 89 and 89A - directly to another one - the reconstruction of the interchange at highways 89 and 69.

On Oct. 14, ADOT officials opened bids for the Highway 89/69 project.

ADOT received two bids, both exceeding the department's $20.8 million estimate.

FNF Construction of Phoenix submitted the low bid at $23,589,901.

Fann Construction of Prescott submitted a bid of $24,957,948.

Alvin Stump, development engineer for ADOT's Prescott District, said that typically the State Transportation Board would award the contract at its next meeting.

However, the state highway board, which normally meets on the third Friday of the month, does not have the Highway 89/69 project on its agenda for this week, which means the board will not discuss the contract until its Oct. 19 meeting in Globe.

"Basically, at this point, ADOT is reviewing the bids and will make a recommendation to the board at its October meeting," Stump said.

The engineer said construction could start in December if the state board decides to award a contract. Stump said construction crews would have 18 months to complete the project.

ADOT's goal for the completion of the Highway 89/89A project is

November. The key points in the Highway 89/69 project include:

• Relocating the VA hospital intersection and adding a traffic signal.

• Building a southbound lane to Sheldon Street with a "free-flowing" ramp.

• Building a new over-pass.

• Rebuilding the Sheldon/Gurley streets interchange.

• Eliminating the left turn lane from southbound Highway 89 to eastbound Highway 69. To access eastbound Highway 69, southbound Highway 89 motorists will have to use Prescott Lakes Parkway to the Highway 69 intersection surrounded by the Wal-Mart Supercenter, Red Robin and Lamb Chevrolet dealership, or continue onto Gurley Street and turn around to head east.

Stump said the project also includes three lanes through the Heather Heights intersection and shared bicycle and pedestrian pathways.