Northern Cambria can’t bridge gap between estimates and bids

BY JULIE BENAMATI
The Tribune-Democrat

NORTHERN CAMBRIA May 16, 2008 11:34 pm

— The Redbud Street bridge here may remain closed longer than anticipated after construction bids came in more than twice as high as expected.
The bridge was closed to traffic in November because the concrete deck deteriorated to the point that the rebar – steel rods used to reinforce concrete – was exposed.
Northern Cambria Borough Council on Monday unanimously rejected all bids to reconstruct the 42-foot, two-lane span, which is a main access route for the Park Avenue and Steele Corner area of the borough.
According to Corey Gehret, engineer at Stiffler, McGraw & Associates of Hollidaysburg, initial estimates reflected a $65,000 cost to complete the project.
Council members planned to use this year’s Community Development Block Grant funds to pay for the project.
But on Monday, bids ranged from $115,000 to $150,000 – double what the borough had estimated – and way more than what the borough has in reserve.
“It was mostly the steel involved,” Gehret said of the reason why the bids came in so high. “The structure mount and guide rail price has really escalated.”
Council members re-advertised the project in hopes of getting lower bids.
Gehret said the decision could be a gamble.
“You never know,” Gehret said. “Sometimes that works in their favor and they get lower bids, and other times (contractors) bid higher.
“Council is hoping to find more money in their budget, and hoping to get lower bids.”
Eugene Zanella, the borough’s CDBG administrator, said at Monday’s meeting that one of the bids arrived after the advertised deadline and was returned.
Gehret said it is believed the unopened bid may have been lower.
“One person verbally indicated his bid was lower, but it didn’t get there in time for the deadline,” Gehret said.
“We’re hoping that contractor will bid again, and that perhaps other contractors will bid.”
New bids will be accepted until 1 p.m. June 9, and will be opened later that evening at the borough’s regularly scheduled council meeting.