Project cost is going up (03/13/07)

The price has risen for a street-widening project in Portland.

A local board voted Monday to pay an engineering firm up to $29,500 more than the amount agreed to in a previous contract. The funds will be paid to The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, for its engineering work on the Portland Redevelopment Commission's project.

The engineering firm originally submitted a quote of $45,000 for its work on the Industrial Park Drive project.

Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier said the cost is increasing because Schneider officials didn't expect to have to attend so many meetings when they submitted the cost estimate. The cost increase will cover expenses associated with pre-construction and commission meetings and meetings with the commissions' advisors; work to prepare documents, materials and exhibits for meetings; and holding a wage hearing.

Before voting, commission member Randy Wehrly said he was surprised the cost to attend meetings wasn't in the original bid.

Commission vice president Lola Joy said she felt the cost increase was quite large.

Joy, Wehrly and secretary Mike Simons voted in favor of the price increase. Commission member Joe Johnston abstained from voting because his son-in-law works for Schneider. President Bob Quadrozzi did not attend the meeting.

Construction work is set to begin in April. Hosier said this morning that the street will remain open during construction. It might have to be closed for about a day at one point, he said. Work is expected to take six months to complete.

The project includes relocating a lift station and widening the street to three lanes, which includes a center left turn lane and deceleration lanes.[[In-content Ad]]