TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Allison Swisher, Director of Public Utilities
SUBJECT:
title
Award of Contract No. 2921-0126 for the Larkin (Theodore - Glenwood) Water Main Improvements Project to D Construction Inc. in the Amount of $9,302,064.21
end
BACKGROUND:
On January 5, 2021, the Mayor and City Council approved Resolution No. 7613, committing to water conservation through the reduction of non-revenue water in order to comply with the allocation requirements of the Level of Lake Michigan Act, 615 ILCS 50, and the corresponding State regulations. A condition of the City’s Lake Michigan water allocation permit is completion of the City’s Non-Revenue Water Reduction Plan. A major component of this Plan is water main replacement. The water main replacement program, estimated at approximately 3% per year, must be sufficient to achieve the reduction of non-revenue water from the City’s water system to not more than 10 percent by the year 2030.
The 2026 Water Main Replacement Program consists of 12 contracts to replace a total of approximately 20 miles of water main, at a cost of approximately $65,760,000.00. The Larkin Ave (Theodore St - Glenwood Ave) Water Main Improvements Project was identified to be completed as part of the 2026 program. This project consists of replacing approximately 15,500 linear feet of water main in various sizes on Lois Place (Vernon Ave to Black Rd); Larkin Ave (Theodore St to south of Glenwood Ave); Vernon Ave (Lois Pl to Larkin Ave); Glenwood Ave (Larkin Ave to Woodlawn Ave). Larkin Village & Burton Place apartments water main loop; Asbury Circle Dr and abandonment of side yard main. Sanitary sewer work included in this project includes one point repair. Also included in the scope of work for this project is replacement of any lead water service lines encountered. Attached to this memo is an exhibit showing the project location.
Design drawings and bidding documents were prepared and the invitation to bid for the project was advertised in the Joliet Herald-News on Friday, December 12, 2025.
The Public Service Committee will review this matter.
CONCLUSION:
On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., three (3) sealed bids were received for the Larkin (Theodore-Glenwood) Water Main Improvements Project. The bid summary is as follows:
CONTRACTOR BID AMOUNT
D Construction Inc., Coal City, IL $9,302,064.21
P.T. Ferro Construction Co., Joliet, IL $9,952,624.81
Austin Tyler Construction, Inc., Elwood, IL $11,564,812.67
Engineer’s Estimate $10,850,000.00
The low bid from D Construction Inc., in the amount of $9,302,064.21, is 14.27% below the engineer’s estimate. D Construction Inc. has previously completed similar work for the City and completed this work to the City’s satisfaction.
Funds will be charged to the Water Main Replacement Fund (Org 53880000, Object 557200, $9,215,364.21), Lead Water Service Line Replacement Fund (Org 53880000, Object 557200, $50,360.00), and Water & Sewer Improvement Fund / Sanitary Sewer Collection (Org 50180020, Object 557200, Project Code 26003, $36,340.00).
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council award Contract No. 2921-0126 for the Larkin (Theodore - Glenwood) Water Main Improvements Project, in the amount of $9,302,064.21, on behalf of D Construction Inc.
end