Ridge Pike project progresses with $14M contract approval

An ongoing project widening Ridge Pike took a step forward as the Montgomery County Commissioners authorized a $14 million construction contract.

The initiative encompasses Springfield and Whitemarsh townships in Montgomery County, as well as Philadelphia, according to the contract.

The local and metropolitan entities were listed on a request for proposals published online advertising the “widening and reconstruction of Ridge Pike.” There were four bids submitted, according to the contract, and 41 companies viewed the RFP.

The $14,077,777 agreement with Allan Myers LP, of Worcester, was endorsed by the Montgomery County Planning Commission, according to the contract. The Montgomery County-based firm was classified as “the lowest responsible bidder.”

The eight-figure contract was one of more than a dozen others approved Thursday, Feb. 17, totaling more than $17.8 million.

The agreements presented to county commissioners provided services for several county departments including information and technology solutions,

assets and infrastructure and public safety.

A $2,347,002 agreement with RSM US LLP, of Davenport, Iowa, covered the implementation of a “document management system” for the county’s IT department. The one-year contract includes “nine optional annual renewal terms.”

A request for proposals for the project was advertised online, according to the contract, which had bids from eight companies and views from 131 firms.

Additionally, a contract for contact tracing services was renewed in a 2-1 vote. Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh and Vice Chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. endorsed the agreement, while Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale dissented.

The six-month contract was initially approved during a June 4, 2020 meeting, and included “three optional six-month renewals,” according to the agreement. Renewed for the fourth time at “nocost,” the latest action allows for contact tracing services performed by the following entities: ACLAMO, of Norristown, will provide services from May 26 to Aug. 25, according to the contract. Family Services of Montgomery County, of Eagleville, and VNA Community Services, of Abington, will conduct contact tracing from June 8 to Sept. 7.

The next Montgomery County Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on March 3 on the eighth floor of One Montgomery Plaza, located at 425 Swede St. in Norristown. Those interested in attending the meeting can also do so virtually. For more information, visit montcopa.org.