City Council Approves $22.2 million Bell Street Improvement Project Bid

SAN ANGELO, TX -- San Angelo City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday to award the Bell Street Improvement project to Reece Albert, Inc. for $22.2 million.  

The project includes repaving Bell St. from Rio Concho Drive to the Old Ballinger Highway with concrete, replacing water and sewer lines, adding sidewalks and replacing signal lights at Rio Concho Drive and Harris Avenue.  

The twice delayed project came in 50 percent over budget because of the possible amount of rock contractors will encounter while replacing the water and sewer utilities.  

The council considered two options for Bell St., asphalt paving for $19.8 million or concrete for $22.2 million.  City staff told the council they would save $6 million in maintenance over 50 years by paving with concrete.  

The discussion included concerns that Reece Albert, Inc. was the only bidder for the project.  As we reported earlier, the city solicited bids from over 20 contractors.  One replied that their current workload would not allow them to work the project and two responded they couldn’t be competitive on the bid.  

City councilman Harry Thomas said he was concerned that the bid included $600,000 for relocating equipment during the project.  City staff said they would negotiate with Reece Albert after the contract was approved to find cost savings.  

The entire project is expected to take three years to complete.