MDOT dumps pathway contractor claims

Goodrich-Claims seeking additional money for the construction of the pathway on Hegel Road, made by the contractor, have been denied by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The pathway came at an estimated cost of $403,400, including the village paying $80,700 in matching funds and Atlas Township paying an estimated $30,000.
The project has been rife with problems, with accusations of fault volleyed between pathway engineers Wade Trim and the contractor, Oakland Excavating Company of Pontiac. And while Oakland Excavating claims they are owed money for work done to compensate for poor engineering and preexisting soil conditions they were not made aware of, Wade Trim representatives say any extra work done by the company was only necessary because of faulty work.
Wade Trim Representative Becky Baker previously told The Citizen about $75,000 was still in contention for the project.
According to a letter from the Department of Transportation, the amount of liquidated damages to be awarded to the village was reduced from $193,950 to $38,250. However, the formula for distribution of that money has yet to be determined.
‘I’m very pleased with the results of the claim. It has been a long process and hopefully this will be the end of it, but the contractor has the opportunity to file additional claims,? said Village Administrator Jakki Sidge.
Sidge said the contractor has 30 days from June 18 to appeal the claim or file additional claims.