CONTACT: Monica Menke-Watts, Dir. of Communications
(513) 942-4700

Release Date: May 4, 1998

TID AWARDS BUTLER REGIONAL HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND INTRODUCES CONSTRUCTION TEAM

FAIRFIELD, May 4, 1998 At 11 a.m. today in the Hamiltonian Hotel, the Butler County TID Board of Trustees will award the contract to construct the 10.7 mile Butler Regional Highway to Kokosing Construction Company, Inc., for $92,761,970.34. This is the single largest road construction contract in the state this year. The contract cost beats the Ohio Department of Transportation Estimate of $100,000,000.00. For a local cost comparison: Cross County Highways construction averaged to $9.6 million per mile, and the Butler Regional construction costs will be $8.6 million per mile. Kokosing's bid was thoroughly reviewed by ODOT. On Friday, ODOT recommended the TID award the construction contract to Kokosing.

At a regular Board meeting to be held at 11 a.m. today at the Hamiltonian Hotel, One Riverfront Plaza, Hamilton, the Board also will introduce the entire construction team. Contract Administration will be performed by M.E Companies, Inc. Construction Management and Inspection will be performed by Resource International, Inc. The award to Kokosing as general contractor on the project completes the team, and construction will begin before Memorial Day.

M.E Companies supports infrastructure projects across the state with consulting engineering, project management and construction administration. M.E served as the TID's design review team for the Union Centre Interchange project. In addition, M.E Turnkey Services acquired the 264 parcels of right-of-way for the Highway. M.E personnel are currently in place to perform contract administration for the Butler Regional Highway.

Resource International teamed with KZF and LJB Engineering firms to submit the lowest and best proposal for construction management and inspection services. This is a fixed price contract for $5,958,000. Both KZF and LJB were the engineering firms selected by ODOT to design the project. Resource International has operated since 1973 as a Female Business Enterprise and a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Staffed with over 150 professional engineers, surveyors and technicians, Resource International has performed construction management and inspection services for the ODOT, the City of Columbus, the Ohio Turnpike, the Ludlow Viaduct project in Cincinnati, and more.

TWO IMPORTANT DATES SET BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

The Pre-Construction Meeting will be held for the construction team as well as for government leaders, utility companies, law enforcement and safety personnel, school system representatives and other interested parties on Monday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Wilks Conference Center at Miami University Hamilton.

The Ground Breaking Ceremony and Celebration will be held on Friday, May 15, in the Highways right-of-way along High Street in Hamilton. The ground breaking begins at 11 a.m., and the public is invited to attend.

The creation of the TID in 1994 was underscored by a call for innovation, economy and expediency in designing, financing, and constructing the Butler Regional Highway. Since its inception, the TID hasundertaken facilitation of projects including the Union Centre Interchange; the Muhlhauser Road extension; the Symmes Road extension; and improvements to SR 747. Its innovation in bringing the Butler Regional Highway to the point of construction is recognized nationally.

For more information, please contact Monica Menke-Watts, TID Director of Communications, 513-942-4700.

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