WRTA awards pact for work at bus station

YOUNGSTOWN -- During a special meeting this morning, the board of trustees of Western Reserve Transit Authority awarded Joseph Lofaro Concrete, Liberty, a contract to refurbish shelters and replace driveways, sidewalks and an outdoor wall at the Federal Station complex.
Lofaro's bid of $345,000 includes a base bid of $313,000, $17,500 for bus shelter repairs and $14,500 to replace a wall on the side of the property.
Thomas Pallotta & amp; Sons Inc., Youngstown, was the apparent low bidder at $342,835, noted Don Meszaros, director of maintenance, but its bid did not include the disadvantaged business enterprise participation. Because federal transit authority guidelines mandate that the DBE participation be incorporated in the base bid, Pallotta & amp; Sons' bid was considered incomplete. Terreri Construction Co. Inc., Youngstown, submitted the highest bid at $370,940.
"Needless to say, we would like to get this project started as soon as possible," Meszaros said. "I want to have a preconstruction meeting Thursday morning because I'd like to see this thing go forward as soon as next week."
The goal is to complete the project by the end of November with little disruption to WRTA and Greyhound Bus Lines traffic at the station. Bids were opened Wednesday.