A competitive road construction market has pushed down bids for Blue Earth County’s major summer projects, despite higher energy and metal prices.

Southern Minnesota Construction of Mankato won the Victory Drive extension project this summer with a bid of $4.27 million — more than 11 percent less than the county’s estimate. The company beat out C.S. McCrossan Construction of Maple Grove, which bid $4.86 million, within a percent of the estimate.

“There’s not a lot of work out there, so they’re bidding hard to keep their people working,” Forsberg said.

Jim Freeberg, operations manager for SMC, agreed: “It’s much more competitive this year and there’s a lot less projects. The bids are very much more competitive.”

There were only two bids for the project, which Freeberg attributed to its complexity, especially considering the fact traffic will continue to flow as work continues.

The third and final phase of Victory Drive is expected to open this fall.

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