Rognlin’s Inc. of Aberdeen has been awarded the bid for the East Grays Harbor Transportation Coop building and began the early stages of construction July 10.

Seven contractors bid on the project, with Rognlin’s Inc. submitting the winning low bid amount of more than $3.2 million. The design of the building itself is the product of a combined effort from Harbor Architects of Aberdeen and Vector Engineering of Tumwater.

“Our transportation facility has been inadequate for our needs for many, many years,” Elma Superintendent Kevin Acuff notes on the superintendent’s update page on the Elma School District website.

The driver check-in area was condemned and demolished years ago, and since then the district has been leasing a portable office building for drivers, mechanics, the maintenance and transportation director and the transportation communications team.

“It’s going to be a tremendous help having a new facility, we’ll be able to service much easier,” said maintenance and transportation director Tom Boling.

The district and Rognlin’s estimate construction will last some 270 days with completion set for March. The coop building will be west of the elementary school and the Elma School District office.

Foreman at Rognlin’s Inc. Bob Rasler and operator Justin Hill were at the construction site Monday morning getting the project underway by clearing the land of trees and bushes.

“Well, we’re basically here today to get a feel for the job and to get started,” Rasler said.

Rasler said “the real ground work,” like installing storm drains and water lines, could begin as early as the end of this week. Construction is not expected to impede traffic or day-to-day life in Elma.

The state is set to allocate 60-65 percent of the funds necessary for the construction project and the district in 2004 began putting aside a portion of levy dollars to provide matching funds to cover the remaining 40-35 percent.

“We haven’t had to go to voters and ask for money on this project, with the help of the state forming the coop and getting funds through them. That’s been a real goal of the district and we’re very pleased,” Boling said.

Boling said he has been talking with surrounding districts for some 25 years, and is excited the project has finally come together. Elma is the lead district on the project but is joined by Satsop School District, McCleary School District, Oakville School District and ESD 113 Head Start.

“I think that once we get it up and going we’re going to see more and more government entities coming who want to use our services,” Boling said.