Tom Windus, superintendent of the Allegany County Department of Public Works, told the board on June 4 that the department will advertise for bids for the North Main Street bridge over East Valley Creek in the Village of Andover after updated engineering estimates exceeded the 2019 estimate by roughly $1 million.

The county sought and received board authorization to proceed to advertise for bids while the state reviews drawings and specifications. Windus said the current engineer’s estimate is “approximately a million dollars less than the current engineer's estimate,” and that because the estimate exceeds what is allotted, the state will ask the county to verify it can go to bid. He said the town is aware and that Jim Frangilla has been “working on a plan to make their portion.”

The county’s presentation identified two drivers of the increase beyond general inflation: an additional right-of-way acquisition at a southeast corner of the project and design changes to provide a wider shared walkway rather than the separate pedestrian walkway shown in earlier plans. Windus attributed most of the change to inflation since 2019 but also noted the added right-of-way cost and minor design changes.

The board voted to move the item forward for advertising with funding to be discussed later; the motion to proceed (moved by Stocken and seconded by Helio) passed with all members voting in favor.

The department said it expects the state to provide final sign-off on the drawings and specifications before bids are issued. Windus noted recent bids on other county projects have been competitive, but he warned that outcome will depend on the market when the project is advertised.

Windus asked the board to confirm that the county may seek pricing and coordinate any town contributions; he said he would report back with information on funding options and final specifications.

The county did not provide a revised total contract amount or a construction schedule at the meeting; Windus said those figures will depend on final design approvals and the bids received.