Manhattan Awards Over $1.3 Million in Bids for Major Water Main Upgrades

Village of Manhattan Board Meeting – October 7, 2025

Article Summary: The Manhattan Village Board awarded three separate contracts totaling over $1.38 million for significant water infrastructure projects, including improvements on Manhattan-Monee Road and Front Street, and the lining of a water main for Well No. 6. The projects are substantially supported by federal ARPA grant funds, minimizing the cost to local taxpayers.

Water Main Projects Key Points:

• The board awarded a $599,847 contract to Aries for the Manhattan-Monee Road water main project, largely funded by a $500,000 grant.

• A second contract for $455,958 was awarded to P.T. Ferro for the Front Street water main project, also funded primarily by an ARPA grant.

• A third bid was awarded to Fer-Pal for $329,560 to complete a water main lining project for Well No. 6.

The Manhattan Village Board on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, approved a series of major infrastructure upgrades, awarding bids for three water main projects totaling more than $1.38 million. The projects, focused on Manhattan-Monee Road, Front Street, and Well No. 6, will be largely funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants the village has received.

The largest of the three contracts was awarded to Aries for the Manhattan-Monee Road Water Main Improvement Project. The company submitted the lowest responsible bid at $599,847. Village officials noted that this project is supported by a $500,000 ARPA grant, leaving a local share of just under $100,000 for the half-mile-long replacement. The project includes the installation of a new 12-inch ductile iron water main, fire hydrants, and valves along the south side of Manhattan Road from Gougar Road to Marion Street. When asked about the contractor, village staff confirmed they had worked with Aries before.

A second contract was awarded to P.T. Ferro, which submitted the low bid of $455,958 for the Front Street Water Main Improvement Project. Mayor Mike Adrieansen stated that this project is also almost entirely funded through an ARPA grant, requiring only a small local match of around $50,000. This work will involve installing a new 8-inch ductile iron water main, hydrants, and valves along the east side of Front Street from Elwood Road to US 52. New copper water services will also be installed to connect properties to the new main.

The final water project approved was the 12-Inch Water Main Lining for Well No. 6. The board awarded the contract to the low bidder, Fer-Pal, in the amount of $329,560. Mayor Adrieansen explained that due to the water main’s location, a full replacement would be difficult. Instead, the project will consist of installing approximately 310 feet of cured-in-place lining inside the existing main, extending from Waterford Drive to US 52. This project will be paid for with local funds.

All three resolutions to award the bids passed unanimously.