The bidding process for the much-anticipated Stockton Avenue Rehabilitation Project is a major step forward.

“We’re looking forward to that project to finally get going,” Mayor Daniel de Graaf said at last month’s Ripon City Council meeting.

Bids were accepted this week – the closing date was Monday – and will be publicly opened, read aloud, and evaluated, prior to being forward to Tuesday’s Council meeting.

The project is located at Stockton Avenue between Second Street and Doak Boulevard. Work will consist of reconstruction of the street along with replacing of underground utilities, sidewalk, curb and gutters.

The Stockton Avenue Rehabilitation Project has been near and dear to Councilman Leo Zuber.

“It’s taken six years to accumulate the funding,” he recently said.

For that, Zuber praised staff members for their dogged efforts – they were able to obtain eligible funding sources such as Regional Surface Transportation Program and Measure K Renewal.

The project has an estimated price tag of about $4.1 million.

Council will next look to accept the lowest responsive bid.

The selected contractor will have 215 working for “substantial completion of construction – after the commencement date stated in the Notice to Proceed,” as specified in the Time of Completion’s planned time frame.