Bismarck awards $3.69m contract for 2026 cast iron watermain replacement

Bismarck awards $3.69m contract for 2026 cast iron watermain replacementThe North Dakota city is advancing its annual water main replacement program, utilizing pipe bursting to replace over 17,000 linear feet of aging infrastructure with expected support from state grant funding.

Basaraba Excavating and Dirt Works secured the contract with a low bid of $3,697,792, coming in below the engineer's estimate of $4.37 million.

The project involves replacing approximately 17,225 linear feet of water main in west-central Bismarck.

Bismarck has applied for North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR) grant funding to cover 60% of the construction costs.

The commission also approved a $57,435 sole-source purchase for critical replacement parts at the Washington Street Master Lift Station.

The Bismarck City Commission has approved a $3,697,792 contract with Basaraba Excavating and Dirt Works for the city's 2026 annual water main replacement initiative. The contract, approved during the commission's March 24 meeting as part of the consent agenda, targets aging cast iron infrastructure in the city's west-central area. Designated as Water Utility Project WU 152, the project will replace approximately 17,225 linear feet of water main. The city has specified the use of trenchless pipe bursting technology and appurtenances for the installation. Basaraba Excavating secured the project after submitting the lowest of two bids received on March 10, coming in well below the engineer's estimate of $4.37 million. The only other bid, from Tand Construction, was priced at $4.11 million. To finance the improvements, Bismarck has applied for a 60% cost-share grant from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR). According to city engineering documents, the Public Works Utility Operations division is prepared to cover the entire cost of the project from the Water Utility Fund if the state grant funding falls through. Project completion is scheduled for June 11, 2027. In a separate action during the same meeting, the commission approved a $57,435 sole-source purchase from General Repair Service for three replacement impellers and suction covers at the Washington Street Master Lift Station. The critical facility, built in 2012, handles approximately 50% of the city's sanitary sewer flows.