Reconstruction of the remainder of Basin Point Road could start in mid- October, although budget limitations will push the completion of the project to 2023.
In 2021, Topsham’s Crooker Construction LLC reconstructed a section of the road, from Ash Point Road to 89 Basin Point Road. The town budgeted $600,000 to finish the road in 2022, but the lowest of three bids was $817,657.59.
The low bidder, All States Construction Inc., met with town officials and Gorrill Palmer, the engineering firm for the project, arriving at a plan to spread the work across two years.
The town will pay the contractor $552,907.59 this year to complete the bulk of the job. The Board of Selectmen awarded the contract on Sept. 15.
All States has quoted a price of $267,900 to finish the job next spring, with a clause that adjusts the price with the cost of asphalt. While next year’s work is not part of the contract, Deputy Town Administrator Terri Lynn Gaudet said she expects the town to continue with All States rather than request bids again.
The 2022 work could start in mid-October, according to Charlie Emerson, operations manager for All States Construction.
The road will remain open throughout construction, although drivers may experience delays.
“The whole time we’re working, we’ll maintain one-way traffic, so we’ll be able to get people through, and I’m sure there’ll be some minor inconveniences,” Emerson said.
Town officials may also consider “calming” measures to slow traffic and improve safety on Basin Point Road in response to concerns from the neighborhood.
“We haven’t budgeted for these calming measures. We’re going to talk about them. There may be some later decisions, but they’re not currently in the budget,” Town Administrator Kristi Eiane said.
