As winning bidder Walsh Construction Co. moves trailers on-site and gears up to begin building a new $116.9-million maximum-security penitentiary in Ft. Madison, Iowa, the second-lowest bidder, Weitz Co. and the Master Builders of Iowa, have a few days left to decide whether they will continue legal appeals claiming that Iowa awarded the contract to Walsh improperly.
Earthmoving contractor McAninch Corp., Des Moines, Iowa, has completed site preparation work, which was awarded under a separate contract from construction of the prison itself. Walsh reportedly is planning to start work on the structure the week of Nov. 29.