Goodrich – Progress on the Goodrich Pathway which rolled forward this summer creating a non-motorized pathway bordering Hegel Road west of the Goodrich Country Club to Oaktree Elementary in Atlas Township, continues to make some significant detours prior to its completion.
About a month ago Brian Slater, engineer from Flint-based Wade Trim designers of the pathway joined with Village of Goodrich Administrators Jakki Sidge, Atlas Township Clerk Tere Onica, and Village Trustee Ralph Morey to walk the pathway to evaluate the questionable conditions of the project. Contractors from Pontiac based Oakland Excavating Company did not attend the meeting but did respond via a letter a few days later.
The 10-foot wide asphalt pathway which cost an estimated $403,400 includes Goodrich paying approximately $80,700 in matching funds, with Atlas Township paying an estimated $30,000. It should have been completed by Aug.5 but due to several factors including repairs and remedial work the deadline was extended until Sept. 23.
From significant tire tracks from contractors equipment etched in the asphalt, poor drainage causing erosion to a lack of sufficient aggregate in some areas the project has been anything but smooth. Delays have prompted village and township officials to withhold payments to the Michigan Department of Transportation who organized the bid process for the pathway. However, in September a payment of $25,475 was made to Wade Trim by the village for work to the pathway–up holding the contractrial agreement say village officials.
Becky Baker, engineer from Flint based Wade-Trim, designers of the pathway addressed some of the issues surrounding the construction of the pathway at the village council meeting.
‘There’s about a weeks worth of work to be completed by the contractor,? said Baker. ‘Right now the state can enforce liquidated damages at a rate of about $455 per day. The worse case scenario is for the contractor to be fired and the performance bond to be used. That takes an extended process and time.?
Baker added that typically local asphalt plants close about Nov. 15 due to the winter season thus narrowing the opportunity to repair the pathway before spring.
Tom Sparks, operations manager for Oakland Excavating Company, the low bid on the project selected by MDOT, replied to some of the issues of the pathway in a letter to The Citizen.
Regarding missing the Aug. 5 deadline and the extension into September.
‘What is disappointing is the lack of an explanation as to why the new deadline of Sept. 23 was necessary. As we see it, this time extension was required while waiting for the engineer to formulate their plan for the remedial work that was required after the path was completed. Our crews as well as our asphalt subcontractor completed the first round of remedial work without the benefit of an executed contract modification form.?
‘Our personnel worked diligently with the engineer to resolve the ongoing problems that were encountered in the field. These problems were addressed, resolved, and paid for as extra items to the original contract. Our restoration subcontractor displayed their ‘responsiveness? by offering a cost saving alternative that was utilized and the savings deducted from the original contract.?
Regarding the cuts in the asphalt Sparks says the conditions of the soil under the pathway played a big role in the current problems.
‘While unfortunate, the ‘questionable condititions? and ‘simple carelessness of the contractor? that caused the ‘significant ruts and deep trie tracks,? is often due to the existing ground condition and under the path. The existing ground conditions presented a challenge to our personnel as well as our asphalt subcontractor during construction. There were no provisions in the contract to address or attempt to rectify the existing ground conditions.?