Smith & Company Hired For Engineering Of Progress Parkway Pedestrian Bridge

 After giving Smith & Company Engineering of Poplar Bluff good marks in an LPA [local public agency] consultant evaluation for the Jackson School Road bridge project, the Ste. Genevieve County Commission voted last Thursday to sign a similar contract with the firm to oversee the pedestrian bridge project over Progress Parkway.

The vote to enter into the agreement came after Billy Cobb of Smith & Company returned a call and clarified some concerns the commissioners had with the contract.

The total for fees was $74,912 for a project that for the bridge itself and walking trail replacement was estimated at about $310,000. The commissioners thought the fee sounded high.

When Cobb called back, he explained that only two individual fees of $5,520 and $3,220 are guaranteed to Smith & Company. The $74,912 figure, he said, is a “not to exceed” figure. The actual fee will be based on hours put in.

“It’s MoDOT [Missouri Department of Transportation] language,” Cobb said. “I know it’s a little unclear.”

Presiding Commissioner Garry Nelson said he would also like to see photos of some examples of pedestrian bridges before committing to a particular style. Cobb agreed to supply some. …

The commission had just given the Poplar Bluff firm [usually represented by Jeremy Manning] “above average” ratings in all five categories for the previous project, performance, timeliness, qualifications, familiarity with federal programs and responsiveness.

See complete story in the January 30 edition of the Herald.