Narberth Borough Council voted unanimously Sept. 18 to increase the borough's reimbursement request for the Norworth Avenue bridge project to cover additional contractor costs that arose after missing insurance requirements were identified in Amtrak's bid package. Council also learned that PennDOT's cultural-resources review has required a change to the bridge's metal finishes, producing new design costs.

The reimbursement resolution increases the amount the borough will seek from state and federal partners to cover insurance and related change orders. The council moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote.

Why it matters: The bridge is federally funded and central to a years-long project to replace the existing structure. Unreimbursed insurance or design costs could shift funds or delay work; the borough sought to make clear it will pursue full available reimbursement rather than absorb unexpected costs.

Council staff described the sequence that produced the extra contractor costs: Amtrak's bid package lacked a required list of insurance coverages, and when Amtrak identified the omission after award the contractor needed to buy additional coverages. Borough staff said the contractor initially estimated roughly $300,000 in added cost, and later reporting from consultants brought that down to about $120,000; staff said the contractor will purchase the policies and then submit those costs for reimbursement through PennDOT's eCMS portal.

Council members were told the borough is not expected to pay those construction costs up front as a permanent outlay: the state's ECMS process is pay-when-paid, so the contractor purchases the coverage, submits the bills through ECMS, the state pays and the borough then pays the contractor.

Separately, PennDOT's cultural-resources reviewer required a redesign of the metal treatment for railings, fencing and junction boxes on the new bridge. The project's architects (VSBA) prepared an amendment to their design contract that will raise their design fee by about $8,800, according to staff. The borough manager told council she is seeking PennDOT confirmation that the additional design costs will be covered under the project's reimbursement share (federal 85%, state 10%, borough 5%). If PennDOT agrees, the borough's share would be roughly 5% of the additional design fee; if not, the borough would absorb the full added design cost.

Council members asked who fronts payments and were told the contractor will purchase the insurance and then seek reimbursement. Staff said the borough had resisted claims that the borough was responsible for the missing items and would "fight to make sure" the contractor's additional costs are included in the reimbursement. (Statement paraphrased from council discussion.)

Council also authorized staff to proceed with the design amendment so the project can remain on schedule. Staff warned that refusing the limited change could trigger a more extensive redesign review that would cause longer delays and greater costs.

The borough manager said she is continuing negotiations with PennDOT and project consultants, will press for the reimbursement of design fees, and will report back to council when she has a formal PennDOT response.

The project remains active and on the construction schedule; staff said they expect additional calls and coordination as the work continues.