The emergent nature of the work, paired with permitting and regulatory requirements related to the Iowa Department of Transportation and CPKC Railway, are slapping a heftier price tag than expected on Marquette’s First Street Water Main Project.

At its May 12 regular meeting, the Marquette City Council awarded a bid in the amount of $695,680 to Pirc Tobin Construction, Inc., of Alburnett, for the project—an amount nearly $245,000 more than the engineer’s estimated cost of $450,000.

“Bottom line is all the contractors are scared away between the DOT restrictions and permitting and the railroad regulations. Pirc Tobin was the only one left standing,” Bart Nies from Delta 3 Engineering told the council.

The project stems from a water main leak earlier this year under the north wye—or Y-shaped junction—of the railroad tracks on Highway 76. Motorists likely noticed temporary repairs, and now a “bump” notification sign, in the area just before the Frontier Motel.

With its proximity to the tracks and on a state highway, “unfortunately, the water main couldn’t have broken at a worse spot in all the city of Marquette,” Nies said.

City staff and Delta 3 have been working as quickly as they can through the regulatory process the past few months, as the leak left Marquette with a dead end system for its water distribution.

“We’re not getting the proper flow and circulation,” explained city manager Bonnie Basemann.

Nies also fears the impacts of what he called a water hammer.

“You can imagine you have two dead end systems 100 feet apart, say, and you’re getting water pushing against the ends of those pipe. The pipe already broke and the pipe adjacent to it is the same age as the pipe they’ve already removed that is broken. It’s just a matter of time before the next piece breaks. That’s what has got [public works director] Jason [Sullivan] and me on a little bit of sleepless nights. We don’t want to get that phone call some morning at 2 o’clock saying the next piece has broken,” he said. “It’s a hell of a position to be in because, obviously, you got bids that are $200,000 over the estimate. The estimate being high for this length of pipe to begin with is because of the issues with the DOT and the railroad. We fought tooth and nail with these two agencies.”

Nies said there is hope the project cost could later be reduced by around $13,000 based on contractor suggestions that will not affect the integrity of the project. Recent discussions with the DOT potentially mean pavement type and depth could be adjusted in some spots to save another $31,000.

He has been working with the DOT on this due to the agency’s plans for a bridge rehabilitation project over Bloody Run Creek, by the casino, this summer, then a mill and overlay of Highway 76 after that project is done.

“My comment from day one is ‘Why are we replacing the pavement if the DOT is going to come in and re-mill and re-pave it?’” Nies said.

Although deflated over the cost, the council approved the emergency water main repair unanimously.

“Our hands are pretty much tied. We have to do it,” said council member Dave Schneider.

According to Nies, the contractor could begin work as soon as the railroad permit is received. A July 3 deadline was given for that. However, he agreed with Basemann that it could potentially start sooner if work is concentrated on the DOT part until the railroad permit is awarded.