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Council rejects federal terms for Micron Gateway bridge grant, citing five‑year delay and higher costs
Summary
City staff reported that federal Highway Administration requirements would extend the Micron Gateway bridge replacement project timeline to five years and likely double construction costs; the council directed staff not to accept the federal grant opportunity and to notify the congressman's office and GDOT.
Marietta city staff told the council that a federal grant offer for the Micron Gateway bridge replacement would impose Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirements that extend the project timeline and raise costs, and the council unanimously directed staff not to accept the federal funds under those terms.
Why it matters: accepting the federal grant would have required the city to follow FHWA procurement and project requirements that staff said would stretch a project that could be built in about 18 months with local funds into a five‑year program and likely raise the total construction cost to $10 million or more.
What staff reported: Mark, a public‑works presenter, said he had pursued options with the congressman’s office, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and federal partners but had made no progress in changing the FHWA requirements. He summarized the consequences: "If we accept the money, we are at a minimum of a 5 year construction start date from right now, and it would balloon the cost up to at least $10,000,000 by the time we start construction," he said.
Council direction and vote: councilmembers raised concerns about the extended timeline and inflationary cost escalation. A motion "not to enter into this opportunity" was made and seconded; the motion carried and staff were directed to notify the congressman's office and GDOT that the city will not accept the federal offer under the present requirements. Staff said the city has not received grant funds, so no return of funds is required; the decision frees the city to proceed using locally available funding and to seek a construction schedule that could begin sooner.
Context and next steps: staff said they will continue to work with state and federal contacts and with industry associations to try to change FHWA policy for future bridge projects, but for the Micron Gateway crossing the council favored proceeding without the federal grant to avoid the multi‑year schedule and increased cost estimate. Staff will return with a proposed locally funded schedule and cost estimate.
Ending: The council’s unanimous direction allows staff to pursue immediate local procurement and to inform federal partners that Marietta will not accept the FHWA‑conditioned grant for this bridge project.
