High Bids For Western Springs Road Projects

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs trustees this week rejected all the bids to rebuild a part of Harvey Avenue and patch streets in the Forest Hills neighborhood.

That's because the low bid of $1.1 million came in 35 percent higher than the $815,000 that was budgeted. The village received four bids, with the highest at $1.9 million.

Village officials said the higher-than-expected bids were a result of higher materials prices and the timing of going out to bid.

The officials recommended rebidding next year for rebuilding Harvey between Hillgrove Avenue and 41st Street. They said contractors would lack the time before winter to get the job done.

They said the village could rebid the Forest Hills patching this year because it is a smaller project.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Trustee Heidi Rudolph asked whether the village was expecting lower bids for Harvey the next time.

Matthew Supert, the village's municipal services director, said it was tough to say precisely.

"When we bid in the winter, it is more competitive because that's when contractors are more hungry for projects and they can schedule themselves for the year," Supert said. "So I can't give a promise that prices will come in lower, but we now have more information to adjust our budgeting process for 2023."

He said the Harvey project remained a village priority and would not be dropped off the list, especially given that the designs are done.