Basalt Town Council approves Midland Avenue contract change

The Basalt Town Council voted Tuesday to allocate $651,466 in existing funds within the overall budget for the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project to finalize Phase II.

The contract change order is for civil engineering design changes required based on field conditions. Funds were identified for the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project in Basalt’s adopted Capital Improvements Plan in the 2024 budget.

Phase II includes waterline and surface improvements, including asphalt paving and grading, concrete and rebar placement, electrical infrastructure work, retaining walls, brick pavers, and hardscapes. This phase runs from Midland Avenue’s intersection with East Homestead Drive, to the four-way intersection with Two Rivers Road. The work through this area will also include stormwater infrastructure, shallow utility work, grading, paving, sidewalks, curb and gutter, street lighting, and installation of street furnishings.

---

---

The project has incurred 76% of its costs, with a total budget of almost $16.8 million. There was an inclusion of a $1.2 million contingency in the Midland Avenue budget to cover future change orders.

Since an earlier project update to the council, the south side of Midland Avenue has been paved, and single-lane traffic returned to the south lane to allow for demolition and removal of the materials on the north side.

---

---

Utility work has also begun in that area, and the gas line relocation began Monday. Preparation for future paving, flatwork, and brick paving is in progress, as well as the placement of planter boxes, planting areas, and plantings.

Stutsman-Gerbaz Earthmoving, the firm that is under contract for the Midland Avenue project with the town, remains confident that all lighting systems will be in place before most of the project is completed.

The Town of Basalt identified the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project as a priority in the 2020 Master Plan. The project is meant “to promote economic vitality by maximized pedestrian space, improved public spaces, and highlighting the assets of the historic downtown,” according to town documents.

In Nov. 2021, as part of Basalt Forward 2030 initiative, Basalt residents authorized the town to utilize bond proceeds for three projects, one of which was for streetscape, sidewalk, and related infrastructure improvements on Midland Avenue.

In March 2022, Basalt Town Council directed staff to work with the Design Team lead by Connect One Design and Stutsman-Gerbaz Earthmoving for construction manager and general contractor services.

On March 14, 2023, the Basalt Town Council approved a contract with Stutsman-Gerbaz for the Midland Avenue Streetscape Project. Since then, Stutsman-Gerbaz completed underground utility and surface improvements to the Midland Spur, installed the new water main and associated water services along Midland Avenue, portions of the new stormwater system, communications services, future infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, electrical infrastructure, and placed a new irrigation system. 

Midland Avenue also has expanded sidewalks with ADA accessibility, added new street furnishings, like chairs, benches, and bike racks, and new landscaping has begun.

To keep the project on schedule, the Basalt Town Council approved an expanded contract with Stutsman-Gerbaz in Nov. 2023 for Phase II.

“During that November of 2023 approval, we included a healthy contingency in our Midland budget,” Joe Farstad, senior project manager, said. “As you may recall, we included a $1.2 million contingency at that time. So, we knew we would be coming forward with a change order in the future.”

Regan Mertz can be reached at 970-429-9153 or rmertz@aspentimes.com.