County approves NDOT change order; Butterfield Drive entrance to be restored with federal funds

Delaware County commissioners on Aug. 4 approved a change order tied to a State Department of Transportation bridge project that will require full-depth restoration of the Butterfield Drive entrance where it meets a reconstructed bridge approach.

Commissioners said the contractor determined the east apron required full-depth restoration rather than a surface repave after the bridge work; the board approved change order number 6, which was described in the meeting as bringing change-to-date costs to $46,530.92 and adding an incremental change order amount described in the record as $31,250.64. Because the project uses federal funding at an 80/20 split, commissioners noted the county’s share for the full-depth restoration work would be 20% of the applicable obligation and discussed an estimated county obligation in the meeting narrative.

Why it matters: restoring side-access points and driveways where state or federal highway projects disturb county entrances is necessary to maintain local traffic access; federal funding usually covers the majority of construction costs but requires the county to cover its proportionate share.

Action taken: commissioners approved change order number 6 by roll-call vote; the board recorded its approval and the county will proceed with its share of costs as required by the federal-aid arrangement.

Next steps: county highway staff will coordinate final invoicing and project closeout with NDOT; the county auditor’s office will reflect the local share in the county’s project accounting.

Ending: commissioners said the restoration work is essential to reopen the bridge area with safe access to Butterfield Drive and that delaying the change order would risk incomplete access at project opening.