County commissioners approve paving bid for pair of Atkinson roads

DOVER-FOXCROFT — This paving season the John Doore Road and Dyer Road in Atkinson Township will both have some work done.

A bid of $226,060 from Wellman Paving of Winterport for the work on about two miles total of road was approved by the Piscataquis County Commissioners during a meeting on Tuesday morning.

County Manager Michael Williams spoke with six contractors and three submitted bids. Another said it was too small of an outfit to carry out the job and Williams said he appreciated the honesty.

Wellman Paving had the lowest of three bids ranging from just over $226,000 to around $273,000. 

“All three companies are very reputable,” Williams said. “All things being said I think we are just as well off going with the low bid.”

When asked he said none of the three have worked for the county in his time as county manager.

Wellman Paving will need to start after July 1 and have the John Doore and Dyer roads done by the end of the paving season. The company will put down a base layer on the travelways which will sit for around a year before a top layer can be added.

Sebec had similar paving work done on the River Road several years ago, Williams said.

This process should enable the pavement to last for 15-20 years.