Construction Company Closes in on $187.5 Million Deal

Ames Construction is close to landing a lucrative deal with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The Burnsville-based company was the lowest bidder for building a new Interstate 90 bridge across the Mississippi River at Dresbach, a Minnesota town on the shore opposite of La Crosse, WI. The bid package also includes work on two highway interchanges and a rest area. 

In its call for bids, MnDOT estimated that the project would cost $175 million to $225 million. Ames put forward a proposal for $187.5 million. The company beat out three other bids, ranging from $207.4 million to $229.4 million.

According to MnDOT, if awarded the project, Ames will be responsible for building a second bridge upstream. The existing four-lane bridge on I-90 was built in 1967 and is showing signs of structural strain. The bridge and its tributary highways also have a high crash rate and exerience frequent traffic backups. 

The old bridge will be razed as soon as the new bridge is open to traffic.

The department will review the proposed bid package for 30 days before officially awarding the contract. MnDOT has established a three-year timeline for the project, with completion in 2016.