Rouge River Outfall Project, MDEQ Issues Finding of No Significant Environmental Impact

On November 23, 2011, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a Finding of No Significant Impact after conducting an Environmental Assessment of the Rouge River Outfall Project (RRO-2), DWSD Contract PC-786.

Unless the DEQ receives any substantive comments within 30 days of its finding, its preliminary decision will become final. At that point, DWSD will be eligible to receive loan assistance from the State Revolving Fund (SRF). 

The Rouge River Outfall Project was bid on November 17, 2011 (here). Contract PC-786 will likely be awarded to Walbridge Aldinger after the low bidder asked the City of Detroit to retract its bid. 

Due to the 30 day comment period, January, 2012 is the earliest that this contract could be presented to the Board of Water Commissioners for approval.

2011-11-23.Michigan DEQ Finding of No Significant Impact re Rouge River Outfall Project (RRO-2)

For more about DWSD Update, click here.

Lakeshore Engineering Asks to Retract Bid on Rouge River Outfall Project, PC-786

Lakeshore Engineering has asked the City of Detroit for permission to retract its bid on the Rouge River Outfall Project (DWSD Contract PC-786), which was submitted last week. Lakeshore was read the low bidder on this project (here) at $11,855,749.

In a November 17, 2011 letter to the Purchasing Division, Lakeshore explained that one of its employees had retrieved the bid after it was submitted, but before the filing deadline, to make corrections. Lakeshore reports that it resubmitted the corrected bid before 2:00 p.m., but that its actions had raised concerns among the other bidders. To avoid a dispute, Lakeshore explained, it was asking to withdraw its bid.

Assuming the City of Detroit grants Lakeshore Engineering's request, Walbridge Aldinger stands to get the contract as the second low bidder at $12,970,000. 

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

PC-786, Lakeshore Engineering Submits Low Bid on Rouge River Outfall (RRO-2) Project

Lakeshore Engineering submitted the low bid earlier this afternoon on the project known as DWSD Contract PC-786, Rouge River Outfall No. 2 (RRO-2) Segment 1, WWTP Modifications:

1.   Lakeshore Engineering - - - $11,855,749*

2.  Walbridge Aldinger - - - - - $12,970,000**

3.  Walsh Construction - - - - - $13,117,000

4.  Weiss Construction - - - - - $13,391,000

5.  Detroit Contracting - - - - - $14,021,000

6.  L. D'Agostini & Sons - - - - $14,702,250

7.  O'Laughlin Construction - $15,232,600

This project was previewed at a June 22, 2011 public hearing and reported here.

For more about DWSD Update, click here. 

* Update (11/22): DWSD Update has learned that Lakeshore Engineering asked the City of Detroit to retract its bid on this project in a letter dated November 17, 2011.   

** Update (12/21): Earlier this afternoon, at a Special Meeting, the Board of Water Commissioners approved a contract with Walsh Construction for $13,117,000. This followed adoption by the Water Board of a resolution suspending Walbridge Aldinger, and 13 other contractors,  for a period of 3 years.  

Proposed New River Rouge Outfall, Public Hearing Scheduled for June 22

More than 2 years after it terminated the $299 million Detroit River Outfall  Contract No. 2 (DRO2), Contract PC-771, and more than 12 years after its first attempt under Contract PC-709, DWSD is introducing a scaled-down version of the outfall project.  (Third time's a charm?)

This time, instead of a 24' diameter x 6,200 foot tunnel, the Department plans to construct a 2,500 foot long shallow conduit comprised of two rectangular channels with dimensions of 24' wide x 14' deep. RRO-2 will maintain the same design capacity: 1,000 million gallons per day (mgd). The current engineering estimate for RRO-2 is $182 million. DWDS will be seeking funding assistance through the State Revolving Fund (SRF).  

The Department will hold a Public Hearing on June 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. for the new Rouge River Outfall (RRO-2) project. The meeting will be held at the Water Board Building, 735 Randolph, 5th Flr., Detroit, MI. For more information, click here.