Patuxent Branch Trail Improvements

Howard County is seeking a single construction firm for the Patuxent Branch Trail Improvements project, located between Old Guilford Road in Columbia and Vollmerhausen Road in Jessup. The scope involves reconstructing a 1.3-mile gravel trail into a high-quality asphalt pathway aligned with US Forest Service Standards. Key deliverables include the construction of asphalt pathways and roadways, traffic signals, signage, park amenities, storm drain and stormwater management improvements, timber bridge upgrades, and site restoration. The project also includes specific work at Vollmerhausen Road, such as installing curb and gutter, a stamped concrete median, and RRFBs. The anticipated construction duration is 12 months, with a requirement to maintain full trail access until February 1, 2027. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Qualified bidders must demonstrate at least three years of experience constructing asphalt pathways in environmentally sensitive areas and have completed over five miles of trail within the last five years under the assigned project leadership. Bids are due by December 23, 2026, and must include a 5% bid bond or certified check, an affidavit regarding price fixing and bribery, and a Foreign Services Disclosure Form for contracts exceeding 2 million dollars. The successful contractor must provide performance and payment bonds for the full contract amount within 10 days of award and adhere to State Prevailing Wage Laws and County living wage requirements. All construction materials must be produced in the United States.