Freeway negotions delayed a week

State transportation officials said they will wait an extra week before seeking contracts for the first phase of the Carson City freeway.

Contracts for bridge construction will be moved from today to Dec. 16, Nevada Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Magruder said.

The date was pushed back a week while NDOT and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers waits for public comments to evaluate the effect of the Carson freeway on wetlands and waterways. Comments are being sought through Friday.

Magruder said the delay is minor and will only affect when contractors can submit bids for freeway construction. He said it will not affect the beginning of bridge construction in early spring 2000.

"This is fine," Magruder said. "It's going to be advertised this year. Whether it's this week or next it's not a problem. The key is to get (construction) started in early spring."

The lowest responsible bidder will be chosen about a month after the advertisement date. The contractor will have a year from the time the project bid is awarded to finish the $14.5 million bridge construction project.

The advertisement date moved into December from Nov. 4 due to a design change to the College Parkway interchange.