During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the complexities surrounding a bridge project that has faced significant delays and budget overruns. Initially awarded in February 2024, the project had been bid out in July 2022, but the contract was not finalized until nearly two years later.

County staff identified a budget shortfall for the project in March 2024, realizing that the approved funding was insufficient. A disparity justification was submitted, revealing that the project costs had increased by 53%, which was deemed unreasonable by the Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). The increase was attributed to challenging working conditions, including residential neighborhood restrictions and the bridge's location over water.

In response to the budget issues, the council appropriated an additional $25,000 in July 2024 and directed the village manager to hire a professional lobbyist to navigate the project's complexities. The meeting also addressed Change Order Number One, which aims to reconcile the original bid with the actual costs, raising the contract amount to $5.6 million—exceeding the threshold set by the county's regulations.

Officials are now seeking options to proceed with this change order without needing to go before the board of county commissioners, as mandated by state law and local ordinances. The contractor, MCM, was highlighted for its successful track record on previous projects, indicating a level of confidence in their ability to manage the ongoing challenges of this bridge project.