Notice to proceed is expected in July for the first construction work on the $1.6-billion Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. On March 13, the South Florida Water Management District’s governing board issued the notice of intent to award the contract to Ryan Inc. Southern to construct canals and a levee for the stormwater treatment area in Palm Beach County.
Ryan was the low bidder at $12.93 million. Bids for the work ranged from $27.92 million down to Ryan’s $12.93 million, which was 67% below the engineer’s estimate of $38.8 million.