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WEIRTON -- The Weirton Sanitary Board is officially moving into the construction phase of its planned wastewater treatment plant expansion project, giving approval to a bid award during its meeting Thursday.
Under a recommendation from Thrasher Engineering, the Sanitary Board awarded its contract to Triton Construction of St. Albans, W.Va., with a bid of $37,213,000 on the project designed to expand the treatment plant from its current 4 million gallon-per-day capacity to 8 million gallons per day.
"We are currently preparing all of the contract books," said Jesse Alden, of Thrasher, who was joining the meeting by teleconference.
The vote from the board following a 50-minute executive session focused on contract negotiations. It is anticipated the closing on the contract will take place March 5.
Prior to the decision, board Vice Chair Joe Barnabei read from a prepared statement, alluding to questions over the timing of some aspects of the bidding process, in particular an announcement over base bid and alternative packages, but said it had been determined to have been inconsequential and offering no competitive advantage to any of the bidders.
Triton Construction was determined to be the low bidder through a review of all bidders by Thrasher.
It also was announced the project can move forward after the Sanitary Board was awarded an approximately $7.2 million grant from the West Virginia Water Development Authority to help close the gap in the funding needed.
Utilities Director A.D. "Butch" Mastrantoni noted he, Barnabei and City Manager Mike Adams had met with state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, to seek assistance in obtaining the WDA grant.
"He was instrumental in getting these funds," Mastrantoni said.
He also offered appreciation to Marie Prezioso, executive director of the WVWDA, and Ann Urling, deputy chief of staff in the Office of Gov. Jim Justice, for their support.
As a result of the new grant, it was noted, there would be no need for additional rate increases.
"That was the goal," Barnabei said.
The Sanitary Board held a bid opening on the expansion project in early December, with reports of three bid submissions in a range of $37 million and $40 million. Original estimates set a cost of approximately $24 million.
In related matters, the Weirton Area Water Board held off on awarding a bid Thursday for its own treatment plant expansion project, as planning staff are finalizing a review of the submitted proposals and available funding.