Weld County will retain nearly $1.3 million of the original contract price for construction of the roundabout at the intersection of Weld County Road (WCR) 74 and WCR 33. Additionally, the bonding company for Lawson Construction Company will pay the county $300,000. The figures were reached in a settlement approved last Wednesday by the Weld County Board of Commissioners, Lawson Construction Company, Merchants National Bonding Inc. and RLI Insurance Company.
The roundabout was completed by W.W. Clyde earlier this year after Lawson was terminated as the project contractor in September of 2023. While the original contract was awarded to Lawson for $9.2 million and the company was paid for work approved and completed, an additional $1.7 million was required to hire W.W. Clyde to complete the roundabout. The money owed to the county per this agreement — approximately $1.6 million — will be used to offset that cost, keeping the project close to its original contracted amount.
“This project certainly had its challenges, but we’re pleased with our Public Works department and our legal team for their effort in the process, from managing the project to helping recoup funds,” said Kevin Ross, Weld County Commissioner Chair. “This agreement shows that while we’re focused on delivering improvements for the public, we also care about safeguarding taxpayer dollars.”
After Lawson was terminated as the contractor of the roundabout for a lack of progress that met the county’s design and engineering standards, W.W. Clyde was officially hired in mid-October of 2023. With the Weld County Department of Public Works managing the project, it moved quickly. The roundabout officially opened on Feb. 8, 2024, 13 days ahead of W.W. Clyde’s deadline of Feb. 21, 2024.
“We know this project didn’t go originally as planned, but we’re pleased that this agreement keeps the project close to its original budget,” said Curtis Hall, Director of the Weld County Department of Public Works. “Our commitment to bettering our transportation system is matched by a desire to complete projects on budget.”
