Souris River Joint Board to re-bid first phase of flood protection in November

As a result of legal concerns, the Souris River Joint Board (SRJB) will re-bid the first phase of flood protection under the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project. On Oct. 25, the Joint Board received a low general bid and a low combined bid from different contractors. The Joint Board did not receive a mechanical bid. Because state law does not allow the low combined bidder to obtain the contract unless the low combined bid is less than the sum of the total separate bids, there was no definitive bidder. As a result, the Fourth Avenue Floodwall phase of flood protection will be re-bid in November and another round of bids are scheduled to be opened on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at Minot City Hall. The SRJB is optimistic that by rebidding immediately very competitive bids will be received once again.

The Phase 1 - Fourth Avenue Floodwall Project includes levees, floodwalls, a major pump station, and a pedestrian opening to the river. It spans from just west of Broadway to the east side of Third Street NE, on the north side of the river – covering approximately six blocks of flood protection. No start date on construction has been set, as the design engineers expect the project to take between 2.5 and 3 years to construct.

The cost share on Phase 1, and Phases 2 and 3, which will have bid openings this week, is being done on a 65/35 split, with 65 percent coming from the state and 35 percent from local funds. The primary source for local funding is from a portion of the Minot city sales tax.

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