East Chicago contractor prevented from winning contract over previous delays.
Reports of performance issues with an East Chicago-based contractor were aired as the Hammond Redevelopment Commission chose a company to demolish an old train slab.
The company, Actin/Tri Contracting, LLC, was the low bidder for the contract at $126,300, but commissioners instead awarded the work to another contractor for $317,000.
The project will demolish an old concrete slab that once served as a rail loading area at 173rd Street and Lyman Avenue. The elevated slab is considered a safety issue because it is near homes.
The consulting engineer on the project presented commissioners a letter listing issues with Actin on another demolition project in the city.
In the letter, John Blosky, of Amereco, Inc., tells commissioners that Actin fell 15 days behind schedule during the demolition of a property on Conkey Street.
Blosky also said he doesn’t believe the timetable of 15 to 20 days the company proposes for the slab project is achievable.
Actin’s bid also came in at approximately half of the engineering estimate for the project.
Commissioners unanimously approved awarding the project to GE Marshall, which was the second lowest of the three bids submitted for the project.
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