Photo by Ian Hicks Motorists driving on Valley Way in Weirton must deal with hazardous road conditions, as shown here. Plans to repair the street have met with controversy, as the city now has chosen to bid the project after originally awarding a contract to James White Construction without seeking competitive bids.

Weirton leaders say they were within their rights to award James White Construction a contract to repair Valley Way without soliciting bids, but they have decided to seek proposals from other contractors anyway. City Manager Gary DuFour said officials will open those bids at 9 a.m. Friday at the City Building, 200 Municipal Plaza. Last month, council members approved awarding the contract to James White Construction, a Weirton firm, in a 6-1 vote. Councilman Ronnie Jones cast the only vote against the measure. During that council meeting, Michael Smitsky of Smitsky Excavating, also of Weirton, expressed frustration the city didn’t give his company an opportunity to bid on the work. DuFour said the city has worked well with James White on similar past projects, and City Attorney Vince Gurrera advised council the city wasn’t legally bound to seek bids. “We decided to go ahead and see what would happen with the bids,” DuFour said this week. “We will see where this goes. ... It may cost the city more, it may cost us less.” According to Chapter 5, Article 22 of the West Virginia Code, “The state and its subdivisions shall, except as provided in this section, solicit competitive bids for every construction project exceeding ($25,000) in total cost. ...” DuFour said the project, which includes removing concrete slabs and repairing joints, would have cost just less than $25,000.