(1) Except as provided in subs.
(2) and (4), if a project involving the construction, rehabilitation, improvement, demolition, or repair of rail property or rail property improvements is funded in any part with public funds, the department or the recipient of the public funds shall let the project by contract on the basis of competiDEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 85.087 tive bids and shall award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
(2) The provisions of sub.
(1) do not apply if any of the following applies:
(a) The project is in response to a public emergency.
(am) The project is for the installation or maintenance of warning devices at railroad highway crossings.
(b) The estimated cost of the project is less than $25,000.
(c) The project involves only rail property or rail property improvements owned or leased by a railroad and the project is to be performed by the railroad using its own employees.
(3) The department or the recipient of public funds may not subdivide a project into more than one contract, allocate work or workers in any manner, or transfer the jurisdiction of a project to avoid the requirements of sub. (1).
(4) If no responsible bid is received, the contract may be awarded without complying with sub. (1).