Bunker Hill Bridge contractor cites subcontractor delays; state-funded change order expected

Town staff told the Board of Selectmen on July 14 that construction on the Bunker Hill Road bridge is under way but has experienced schedule risk due to delay by a subcontractor performing micropile work. The town's construction inspection flagged an underestimation in the design-bid quantities for structural steel and rebar that appears to have caused an unanticipated procurement increase.

What's happening: Town Administrator Eric reported the prime contractor is progressing, but the micropile subcontractor has been late. That delay has not yet pushed the project into a second construction season but raises concern about timely completion. Separately, the designer (CDM Smith/"CD Maguire" referenced in packet) underestimated the required structural-steel and rebar quantities by roughly a factor of two in at least one abutment, which has led to a pending change order of about $51,692.

Funding and responsibility: Eric told the board that the change order will be paid by the state because the project is 100% state-funded; Connecticut DOT engineers and the town's construction inspector have reviewed and verified the revised material quantities. The board discussed timing and expressed concern about potential impacts on schedule; staff said DOT and the contractor are working to keep the project on track for a December completion if the schedule can be met.

Next steps: Staff will continue to press the subcontractor to meet the schedule and will return to the board if the delay threatens to push work into the following construction season or requires additional town-level action. The change order and its cost allocation (state-funded) will be processed with the state and documented.