The Village of New Hyde Park board of trustees voted last week to accept a $1.45 million bid from Ridge, NY-based Laser Industries Inc. for the 2014 roadway and drainage improvement project. Laser came recommended by engineering firm Dvirka and Bartilucci.
The other bids received were Tri-State Paving, LLC for $1.49 million, Roadwork Ahead, Inc., for $1.56 million (used for the road plan in 2012), John McGowan & Sons, Inc. for $1.56 million and Pratt Brothers for $1.65 million.
According to Village Mayor Robert Lofaro, Dvirka and Bartilucci anticipated the bids to come in at around $1.7 million. Lofaro also noted a difference of slightly under $200,000 between the lowest and highest bidder, stating, “that gives us a little bit of comfort.”
Dvirka and Bartilucci reviewed all bid documents and according to the resolution, “found no reason not to award the contract to the lowest bidder, Laser Industries Inc,” Lofaro said.
Public Works Superintendent Tom Gannon said construction will begin in June. The project covers approximate 8,500 linear feet of roadway.
Lofaro announced that on Tuesday, March 18, the village board held a staff meeting to discuss the village’s budget, union contracts and the alignment of funding for the 2014 road improvement project, at which a bond resolution was passed that authorizes the borrowing of up to $2 million for up to 15 years.
Additional information on the road improvement project, including specific roads that will be designed, can be found on the village website at: vnhp.org/RoadWork.htm
“After this winter, I don’t even think you can call them roads anymore…they’re deteriorated to the point where we’re desperate to start this project,” Lofaro said.
Lofaro also mentioned a $150,000 capital improvement grant the village is receiving from New York State for roadwork on South 14th and Sixth Avenue, as well as repaving for the village hall parking lot. Lofaro said the village is putting together bid documents for that project and the process of obtaining the grant was lengthy.
In 2009, the village applied for a capital improvement grant to be used for drainage repairs and Village Hall parking lot reconstruction. With the support of then-State Senator Craig Johnson, they received notification in late 2009 that the grant had been awarded to the village.
After submitting required documentation to the state Dormitory Authority in April 2010, the village was notified in January 2011 that the Senate Fiscal Committee had withdrew funding for the grant.
In February 2012, the village sought help from current State Senator Jack Martins to recover the grant, and in early 2013, funding was restored. Paperwork was submitted again to the NYS Dormitory Authority in July 2013 and last month. Once these capital improvements are completed, the village can submit for reimbursement of the project’s cost.
