Cambridge Rails to Trails

The Dorchester County Department of Public Works and the City of Cambridge are requesting sealed bids for the Cambridge Rails to Trails multi-use trail project from Washington Street to Woods Road, with bids due February 11, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. and a pre-bid conference scheduled for January 14, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dorchester County Council Office in Cambridge. The project is funded through Rural Maryland Economic Development Funds and a DNR Green Space Equity Grant.

The scope includes site preparation, clearing and grubbing, earthwork and grading, storm drain installation, demolition of existing rail infrastructure, aggregate base and Superpave pavement installation (3,790 square yards of base course, 300 tons of Superpave base, 500 tons of Superpave surface), concrete flatwork (1,150 square feet), split rail fencing (6,161 linear feet across 10-foot-wide sections), topsoil placement (1,060 cubic yards), seeding and stabilization, signage and pavement markings, landscaping, and lighting fixtures and conduits (24 units and 3,200 linear feet). The contingency item covers over-excavation and backfill (40 cubic yards). All work must comply with MDOT Corridor Manual standards and ADA specifications. Work must be completed by August 28, 2026, with invoices due no later than September 25, 2026.

The anticipated project cost exceeds $100,000. Sealed bids are submitted on a unit price basis for 17 base bid items plus the contingency item. A bid security of 5 percent of the bid amount is required in the form of bonds, certified checks, or pledged securities backed by the United States government or State of Maryland. Performance and payment bonds are required. Contractors are prohibited from subcontracting more than 50 percent of the total contract price without written approval from Dorchester County; all subcontractors and suppliers representing 2 percent or greater of the work must be listed. Proposals must remain valid for 90 calendar days after bid opening. Addenda No. 1 and No. 2 have been issued; all prospective bidders must acknowledge receipt of both on the proposal page.