Road Project Deferred, Because of Contractor Concerns

State highway commissioners have deferred approving a road project in Southwest Missouri after the contractor involved was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of bid rigging. The indictment alleges that APAC-Missouri Incorporated of Columbia and David Mantle, the company’s vice president, conspired with another company to eliminate competition for a different project in Eastern Missouri. Mantle denies the charges. Highway Commission Vice Chairman Marge Schramm says the commission only voted to put off the bid on the Taney County project until the issue with APAC is resolved. MODOT officials say other projects already in progress with APAC will continue as scheduled, until more is found out from the federal investigation.