Blue Springs Road contractor faces Aug. 11 Deadline County Considers Performance Bond

After months of delays and persistent problems, Jackson County officials have established a firm August 11 deadline for substantial completion of the long-troubled Blue Springs Road project.

Chris Kirkland of LNK Contractors appeared before the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners to provide an update following what he described as a productive meeting with Chairman Jamey Westbrook, County Administrator Jim Dean, Deputy County Administrator Rett Daniels, County Attorney Clayton Knowles and project engineer Eric Burrell.

Kirkland said the project is entering its final stages, but several remaining items must be completed before the new water line can be placed into service. LNK’s goal is to finish that work and receive the necessary clearance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection by Aug. 11.

Final completion, including paving, is scheduled for no later than October 30.

Knowles made it clear that August 11 is more than another projected date on a project that has already stretched well beyond its anticipated completion.

“There is obviously a performance bond on this project,” Knowles said. If substantial completion is not achieved by August 11, he explained, the county will likely contact the project’s surety company and seek a resolution through the performance bond.

A performance bond is intended to protect the county if a contractor fails to fulfill the terms of a construction agreement. Involving the surety could result in additional pressure or intervention to ensure the work is completed.

The county is also requiring LNK Contractors to provide daily progress updates. Kirkland will be expected to attend upcoming commission meetings to keep the board informed of the project’s status.

Commissioner Paul Donofro sought clarification on what must be accomplished by the August 11 substantial-completion deadline. Kirkland confirmed that the remaining water-intrusion problems are expected to be corrected and that the water line should be cleared for service by that date.

Road paving, however, will come afterward.

Kirkland said paving will be scheduled once the line is placed into service, with October 30 serving as the final deadline. He expressed hope that the work can be completed sooner.

Donofro also pressed for a clear commitment concerning the extent of the paving, noting that sections of Blue Springs Road are in poor condition and, in some places, dangerous.

Dean clarified that the paving should cover the entirety of Phase One. Kirkland agreed, saying LNK intends to repave the full affected portion and may extend the overlay slightly farther to correct transition problems where its work meets a separate project completed by Anderson Columbia.

“I think that does need to include repaving the entire section,” Donofro said, emphasizing that anything less would not leave the county with an acceptable roadway.

Commissioner Dr. Willie Spires asked whether the county would have an opportunity to pursue liquidated damages because of the delays.

Knowles said that issue had been discussed earlier in the day but would be separate from any action involving the performance bond. Pursuing damages would likely become a contractual matter requiring court action. If the county reaches that point, Knowles said the matter will be brought back before the board to determine whether commissioners wish to proceed.

For now, county officials said their immediate priority is getting the water line operational, correcting the roadway problems and bringing the overdue project to completion.

“The biggest thing is getting this thing paved and fixed and getting it done,” Kirkland said.

Donofro agreed: “Getting the road. That’s correct.”