Pinckneyville awards contract to low bidder lighting project around square

The City of Pinckneyville awarded the contact for the city square lighting project to F.W. Electric who offered the lowest bid of $323,540. The project will be paid for using business district funds.

Commissioner Sam Fulk said that the low bid did not include concrete work. The concrete work will be done in-house using Motor Fuel Tax Funds.

The first time the project was bid only one bid for $387,000 was received.

F.W. Electric will complete the lighting and electric work before the project deadline of July 31.

The council also approved the removal of two street lights near Diamond Town in preparation for IDOT beginning the roundabout where Routes 13 and 154 meet on the west side of town.

Fulk said the two streetlights to be removed are on the west and southeast corners of the Diamond Town square.

IDOT will install lighting at the roundabout.

Commissioner Leonard Heisner informed the council that State Rep. Jerry Costello II has asked the city to put together a wish-list of important projects. A list of about six projects would be useful.

Commissioner Fulk said he plans to re-apply for the safe routes to school grant and the Walnut Street streetscape grant this year.

Commissioner David Stone said he has at least three projects to add to the list.

Richard Marlow asked the council about an ongoing project. He drives past the entrance to the new Soccer Park on Mildred Drive and the area has become slick with mud. Marlow suggested that the contractors are trying to get too much done too fast. They should wait until the weather cooperates or sweep the mud from the street daily.

Commissioner Stone said Surmeier and Surmeier of Mascoutah had been clearing the road regularly. He has been ill for a week and will check the road.

Marlow warned that the area where the soccer park is being built could be undermined and is in the flood plain. He suggested that might have been the cause of the bad soil which cost $20,000 to replace. Commissioner Stone said the engineers suspect the bad soil was a farm pond. The muddy area was 100 yards long and eight feet deep.