WEST LIBERTY, Iowa —Walkers, runners, and bicyclists will hit a resurfaced trail in West Liberty following the completion of the Elm Street Improvement Project.

The City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved a bid of $1.72 million from All American Concrete of West Liberty for renovation of Elm Street from Sixth Street to U.S. Highway 6. The project will also include concrete resurfacing of the Hoover Trail along an old railroad bed from the restored historic depot to U.S. Highway 6.

The original estimate for resurfacing just the street was $1.75 million.

There were eight bids for the project, engineer Leo Foley of the West Des Moines-based Veenstra and Kimm Engineering Firm told the Council.

Contractors had the option of submitting alternative bids for resurfacing the trail as well as Elm Street, Foley said.

The low base bid of $1.53 million for resurfacing Elm Street only was submitted by Portzen Construction of Dubuque.  All American Concrete of West Liberty also submitted a bid of $1.72 million that also included asphalt resurfacing of the trail.

It’s rare for a concrete bid to come in as the low bid, Foley said, adding that he usually recommends asphalt for a trail because of its softer surface. But he said in this case he’s not concerned because the trail will be over an old railroad bed.

The Council also approved seeking bids for construction of 902 feet of new sidewalk along Calhoun Street and U.S. Highway 6.

Foley outlined a schedule that includes receiving bids on Dec. 10, and awarding a contract on Dec. 15, with a probable project completion date in May 2010. 

Mayor Chad Thomas said the original cost estimate was around $50,000,  but Foley said it would be around $30,000.

“This is a wonderful estimate,” said Thomas. 

Council members anticipate the West Liberty School District will share the cost.

In other action

The Council approved:

— Pay Estimate No. 1 of $201,509.11 and Change Order No. 2 of $20,545.49 to All American Concrete for the Second Street Rehabilitation Project.  Foley said the project is near completion, and he expects the final payment of around $90,000 to be approved during the Council’s next meeting on Nov. 17.

— Pay Estimate No. 2 of $10,883.96 to Shamrock Construction of Coralville for the North Calhoun Street Overlay Project. 

— A construction quote of $6,825.00 from Shamrock Construction for repair of the intersection of North Columbus and East Eighth Streets. The project will be paid for with I-Jobs funding.

— Change Order No. 5 of $610 to the Des Moines based McAninch Corp. for the Dutton Athletic Complex Project.

— The first reading of an ordinance to place an additional stop sign at the intersection of Miller and Ninth streets in front of the Elementary School.

— A request from West Liberty Pharmacy to install a permanent accessibility ramp — subject to approval from Mid American Energy — over utility pipe work, and with the stipulation the work be completed by Dec. 1.

— The Council scheduled a work session for 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, one hour before the Council’s next regular meeting, to discuss the role of the Parks and Recreation Department.

— The Council set a meeting of its Building and Grounds Committee for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, for an update on the public library.