Carson City transportation commissioners have decided to reject all bids submitted for the Roop Street widening project and will look at other alternatives.
The decision left the Roop Street project up in the air, at least for now. Regional Transportation commissioners may start reconsidering other options for improving traffic on the city's north to south routes.
"I think we need to look at North Stewart Street again and see what we can do to bring these costs down," said Richard Staub, commission chairman. "It seems to me that's the biggest bang for the buck, when we don't have a lot of bucks to spend."
The commission decided to pursue the Roop Street project this year after considering several alternatives. The city's contracted engineering company, Capital Engineering, estimated the project would cost $5 million. But bids received from Granite Construction and A&K Earthmovers ranged from $7.5 million to more than $8.5 million.
The job's complexity and a busy construction season this year contributed to the inflated costs.
The city may rebid the project and try to cut costs by modifying schedules and timelines. Still, the city is probably looking at a $6 million project, Staub said.
"Obviously we have a champagne taste and a beer budget," said Commissioner Shelly Aldean. "We'll do what we need to do to facilitate traffic."
City staff will return in August with a cost analysis of alternative options, said Deputy City Engineer John Flansberg.
Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
