After two years of planning, bids for the new walking trail proposed by the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department (VPRD) were received last week.

Matt Boggess, VPRD Director, shared with council members Thursday evening (July 9) that the project had received a total of 11 bids for the project.

“The bid letting was held July 7,” he said. “We received some very competitive bids. We are very pleased with where we are at with this project.”

The accepted bid for the project was from Baker Enterprises, Waverly, Iowa.

The company’s bid was $685,411.

“This recommendation is based on the base bid being 17% below the engineers estimate which was $825,640 for base bid,” Justin Campbelll, PE, from Shive-Hattery Inc., wrote in a letter to the council.

Shive Hattery, Cedar Rapids, was the engineer for the project which involves the construction of a walking trail that begins in the area of Tilford Middle School and includes the area of the new housing development located south of the Vinton-Shellsburg High School.

Boggess told the council that work could begin yet this summer on the project. “The contractor will be able to get started as soon as we get funds released to pay the project.

“The planned end date for the project is set for July 2021,” Boggess said.

Funding for the project is part of the general obligation bonds that the City sold last month

“This will be a great amenity for our community,” Boggess stated. “The glow trail that we will be using is a unique feature that we will be able to offer to visitors to the community.”

He added the glow trail will be the longest of its kind in the United States.

The materials used to make the glow trail “have a 20 year warranty,” Boggess said.

“At that point, I hope none of us (himself or council) would still be in a position to worry about it,” he chuckled.