NM FS 220(1), Romero Creek Bridge

The Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division, is soliciting bids for the replacement of the Romero Creek Bridge located on Forest Route 220 in the Gila National Forest, Catron County, New Mexico. This project involves complete bridge replacement, including removal of the existing deteriorated structure, construction of a new 14-foot by 48-foot prefabricated steel bridge, installation of guardrails, and paving of 100-foot approach sections on each side of the bridge to prevent debris and sediment intrusion. The existing bridge, constructed in 1954, is in poor to serious condition with approximately 60 percent deck delamination ranging from 2 to 10 inches in depth. Key contract requirements include registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), submission of a 10 percent bid guarantee, performance and payment bonds, and compliance with Buy American Act requirements. The invitation for bid was posted on August 15, 2025, with proposals due by September 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. local time, and the contract includes a completion deadline of November 5, 2026.

This solicitation is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside with a size standard of $45 million. The contract was awarded to Whelcon Contractors LLC on November 5, 2025, with a bid of $1,363,775.22, which was the lowest of six submitted bids compared to the government's engineer's estimate of $1,870,000.00; the overall bid range fell between $700,000 and $2,000,000. Principal work items include removal of existing structures, 250 cubic yards of embankment construction, 250 tons of roadway aggregate, 100 tons of asphalt pavement, 50 cubic yards of structural concrete, 200 linear feet of guardrail installation, and approximately 100 equipment hours and 120 labor hours. Construction is anticipated to commence in Fall 2025 with completion targeted for Fall 2026; however, no onsite work is permitted from early March through early May due to weather constraints. The project is located in Luna, New Mexico, approximately 9.6 miles northwest, and is strategically important as Forest Road 220 will serve as a primary haul route for a major timber restoration project anticipated to generate thousands of loads over the coming years.