Politics & Government
Kendall County Reassigns Aurora Blacktop Projects
The floundering company never picked up the contracts for eight road projects worth $2.8 million.
Kendall County leaders awarded the final six road projects abandoned to the second-lowest bidder Tuesday, but could make up the cost difference by pursuing the floundering company’s bid bonds.
Aurora Blacktop, which is based in Montgomery, was awarded eight contracts totaling $2.8 million for roadwork in Kendall County in April, but company leaders never signed the contracts. About the same time, Aurora Blacktop’s owners announced this season and were searching for a new owner.
A new owner has not been announced, and the company’s real estate and equipment appears to have been listed for an Aug. 1 auction with Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers.
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No one answered the door at Aurora Blacktop’s Montgomery location on Tuesday afternoon.
Without any discussion, Kendall County board members unanimously awarded the second-lowest bidder, Hardin Paving Services, six contracts Tuesday evening. The other two contracts originally awarded to Aurora Blacktop previously were given to the second-lowest bidder.
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The projects include resurfacing parts of Eldamain and Galena roads, as well as shoulder work along Galena Road.
Now, county officials are reaching out to Illinois Department of Transportation officials to find out what they need to do to . The bonds provide 5 percent of the total project costs if the company awarded the bid doesn’t enter the contract.
In this case, 5 percent of $2.8 million is $140,000 – or about the difference between Aurora Blacktop and the second-lowest bidder.
County Board member Robert Davidson, who chairs the board’s Highway Committee, expects the matter will be discussed at the next county board meeting June 19.
