Haneyville tower moving forward despite cost
By ERIN HIPPLE — Express Staff InternLOCK HAVEN — The Clinton County commissioners yesterday awarded a bid to a Pittsburgh construction company for site work and installation of a 140-foot emergency communications tower in Haneyville, despite the widespread belief last week they would have to rebid the project.
J.G. Construction submitted the low bid last week at $178,800, which commissioners accepted with a stipulation in writing that the bid is fixed with no up-charges for materials.
While this bid was higher than expected, forcing commissioners to make a decision on whether to rebid, Commissioner Adam Coleman and Director of the Department of Emergency Services Kevin Fanning recommended accepting of the bid.
“My recommendation is that we move forward because this is a public safety need that must occur, and the tower has already been ordered,” said Fanning.
Fanning is referring to the nearly $25,000 tower from Sabre Towers and the nearby 10-by-12 foot shelter which has a cost of over $27,000.
The anticipated price of the installation and site work was originally set at $150,000, but because of an increase in material costs, the bid prices came in higher than expected.
According to Fanning, fuel prices have increased, and the price of steel has gone up as well. Steel will be used to reinforce the large amount of concrete needed on site, which will protect the tower from up to 90 mph winds.
Another factor in the high price is the fact that regulations prohibit overhead power lines, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The 750 feet of conduit must be trenched in the ground, incurring another cost to the original estimate.
At last week’s meeting, only one other bid — from Shaw Rose Inc. of Coraopolis — was received in the amount of $181,616. And at this point, commissioners believed that rebidding the project might be possible.
However, Fanning received an additional bid later that day, reflecting the same price range as those submitted by the previous bidders. Therefore, Fanning recommended that commissioners accept now, as rebidding may incur even more costs and further delay in the project.
Commissioner Tom Bossert expressed concern about the additional cost, raising the question as to where the project’s supplemental funds will be attained.
According to Fanning, a grant of DCED funding has been applied for through State Representative Mike Hanna’s office in the amount of $20,000.
“What you have to remember though is that this is a 30- to 40-year investment,” said Fanning to the commissioners.
Fanning also said there will be little maintenance to the tower and its site area, and the need for the communications tower is urgent.
