patching...
Update: Are you following Montgomery Patch on Facebook? Go here: http://www.facebook.com/montgomerypatch
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

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 Aurora Blacktop 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 they would not be firing up their Yorkville asphalt plant 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.

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.

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 cash the bonds associated with the bids. 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.

Related Topics: Aurora Blacktop and Kendall County

Richard R

12:29 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sadly this is the state of the economy. Sorry to this this happen to them.

Reply

maggs

10:48 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012

Floundering? Have u people not heard of the bad economy? I wish people understood what it takes to run this kind of company! I for one am truly heartbroken for the owners & the former employees. I wish them all the best of luck. Thank you Aurora Blacktop for all your years of hardwork. This company has been a part of this area for the last 65 years and will be missed very much. God bless.

Reply

Leave a comment