IRON MOUNTAIN — Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain will be the contractor on a $3.6 million project to replace an estimated 368 water service lines in East Kingsford.

Bacco was the low bidder at $2,881,517 among seven firms that submitted proposals. Breitung Township Board on Monday accepted the bid as recommended by Coleman Engineering Co. of Iron Mountain and awarded a tentative contract.

“It’s been a little unusual getting that many (bidders),” Coleman representative Gary Lessard told the board.

The project is funded through a Michigan Drinking Water State Revolving Fund package that includes a loan of $1,792,500, plus a matching grant. In addition to covering engineering and construction costs, the funding allows $215,000 for contingencies.

Lessard said he expects the loan to close near the end of August. Construction might begin in the fall, though the bulk of the work will occur in 2027.

Across Michigan, communities are required to replace water service lines containing lead — and galvanized lines previously connected to lead — by 2041.

“The goal is to have all the lead service lines (in East Kingsford) replaced,” Lessard said.

Public Works Superintendent Jay Davis said the service lines being addressed come under the state’s order due to “gooseneck” connections that contain lead. Even though galvanized steel lines are not made of lead, corroded galvanized pipe over time can act as a “collector” for lead released upstream, according to the state’s order.

In Quinnesec, the township has identified 176 service lines for replacement due to lead gooseneck connections. Township crews, since 2022, have completed about 50 replacements in Quinnesec and that work continues, Davis said.

Bacco is currently at work on an $18.4 million sewer and water project in Iron Mountain that includes an estimated 426 water service replacements.

The second-lowest bidder for the East Kingsford project was Ultra Construction Services of Marquette at $3,097,300. Ultra is also at work in Iron Mountain, replacing about 375 service lines under a $4.57 million project that started in the fall of 2024.

Bids for the East Kingsford work were opened June 8. Other proposals came from Precision Infrastructure of Eau Claire, Wis., $3.14 million; Oberstar Inc. of Marquette, $3.29 million; Five Star Energy Services of Waukesha, Wis., $3.86 million; Barley Trucking & Excavating Inc. of Menominee, $3.93 million; and Payne and Dolan Inc. of Gladstone, $5.76 million.

Restoration such as roadway paving, as well as sidewalk and driveway repairs, is included in the project cost. In December, the township board approved a $10 monthly increase in fixed water charges to help meet its service line replacement obligations.

Michigan’s DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement program administered through the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is largely supported by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.

In other action Monday, the township board:

— Extended the bid deadline until July 13 for a software system project. The township is seeking a cloud-based municipal software system to replace its current on-premises system. The upgrade would be funded through the federal State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.

— Also extended until July 13 the bid deadline for an information technology service provider to implement cybersecurity improvements, perform system integration and support the township’s technology infrastructure.

–Allocated up to $6,800 for fire sign replacements, including posts, for addresses in the M-95 area as well as U.S. 2 east of Quinnesec. The estimated cost is $68 each.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.