During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the LB Road bridge replacement design project, which aims to replace a structurally deficient bridge over an unnamed stream. The project has secured a federal grant of $688,700 from the Municipal Bridge Program, expected to be allocated to the city of Moraine in 2026.

The design services for the bridge replacement have been awarded to Fishbeck, following a selection process compliant with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) requirements. The total design fee is set at $264,745, with payments scheduled at $112,467 in 2024 and $153,278 in 2025. To facilitate this, it was recommended that $12,467 be transferred from the parking lot paving budget to cover the design costs.

Officials noted that the significant increase in design fees was attributed to an error by Fishbeck during the feasibility study, which initially estimated costs at 15% of the construction estimate without accounting for all necessary disciplines to qualify for the federal grant. ODOT has reviewed the proposal to ensure its accuracy and legitimacy.

The meeting concluded with a request for legislation to formalize the contract with Fishbeck and authorize the budget transfer. The design process follows a design-build model, which shares responsibilities between the city and the contractors, differing from traditional bidding processes.