Lake Clark Shores bridge nears completion; council discusses change orders and a possible pre-opening celebration

Town Manager Joe (last name not specified in transcript) and council members gave an update on the Lake Clark Shores bridge project, saying work is advancing and the town is still negotiating several change orders with the contractor. Council members discussed holding a celebration the night before the bridge opens so residents who paid for it could view the structure before traffic begins.

Manager’s update said the contractor and the town are negotiating four or five change orders, mostly small but two larger items remain unresolved. The change orders include additional work related to large boulders or rock discovered under the bridge. Council members described the project as “days away” and cited competing candidate dates around Aug. 22–25 for opening; the town is waiting for a definitive date before scheduling a celebration.

Council discussion included logistics and a proposed clergy blessing of the bridge at a pre-opening event. No vote was taken on a celebration; council directed staff to continue negotiations on change orders and to withhold a public invitation until a final opening date is confirmed.

Discussion: ongoing negotiations with contractor and project manager; potential community celebration was discussed but not scheduled. Direction: staff to continue negotiations and defer public celebration notices until a date is firmed up. Decision: no formal approvals reported on change orders or celebration.