The Lake Orion Village Council unanimously approved Zito Construction as the builder for the planned Paint Creek Trail extension during its meeting Monday.

Zito Construction submitted a bid of $424,054.77 on Aug. 4. The only other bidder on the project was Pavex Corporation, with a $641,598.75 bid. The Engineer’s estimate for the project was $395,537.

While Zito Construction’s bid came in over the estimate, a condition in the bid-letting process allows for a bid that is over the estimate but within 10 percent of the estimate.

The Paint Creek Trail extension is 0.96 miles, and will extend from Atwater, through Lake Orion Lumber and into the village. The DDA purchased an easement from Lake Orion Lumber earlier this year.

The project includes hot mix asphalt and concrete shared-use path, concrete curb, gutter, driveway and sidewalk ramps, chain-link and split-rail fences and pavement markings along Atwater Commons Drive through Meeks Park to Anderson Street, then north to Elizabeth Street and west to Lapeer Road, according to bid documents.

DDA Executive Director Molly LaLone said the plan is to begin construction Sept. 15 and the project should take two months. There also will be some site restoration in the spring.

“I can’t wait for it to break ground. I want to see everything happen,” said LaLone, who has been working feverishly to move the project along through its various stages.

While the DDA paid for the easement and other project costs, a TAP Grant covers $263,232 of the costs. – By Jim Newell