The Albert Lea City Council Monday awarded contracts for three street projects taking place this summer.

The council accepted bids and awarded contracts for the Bay Oaks Drive and Sundance Lane reconstruction project, Lakeview Boulevard pavement reconstruction and rehabilitation project and the reconstruction of municipal parking lots near the Eagles Club and Department of Human Services building.

Two of the three contracts were higher than engineer estimates. The Lakeview project contract was awarded to Ulland Brothers for more than $270,000, more than the engineer’s estimate of $168,352. The contract for the reconstruction of the parking lots was awarded to Ulland Brothers for nearly $217,000, higher than the engineer’s estimate of nearly $194,000. The contract for the Bay Oaks Drive and Sundance Lane reconstruction project was awarded to Ulland Brothers for about $332,500, less than the engineer’s estimate of about $356,100.

Ulland Brothers was the only company to submit bids for the projects.

Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams said in a report the Lakeview contract was higher than estimated because of costs for mobilization, traffic control and items associated with the installation of the storm sewer.

“In discussions with Ulland Brothers, they were only able to get one storm work bid, and the contractors were concerned with the high water table and poor soils,” he said.

The utilities department is expected to install the storm sewer for the project.

The Bay Oaks Drive and Sundance Lane reconstruction project includes the reconstruction of bituminous pavement and aggregate base on Bay Oaks Drive from Minnesota Highway 13 to the cul-de-sac and Sundance Lane from Highway 13 to Bay Oaks Drive.

Fifth Ward Councilor Robert Rasmussen said Tuesday the lack of bidders for road projects can result in higher project costs.

“There isn’t always as many contractors bidding on the project as we would like,” he said.

Rasmussen noted contractors from outside the area sometimes face difficulty in taking equipment to Albert Lea.