Authority staff told the board on Nov. 7 that the bridge approach paving project concluded this summer but exceeded the original Memorial Day completion date. Staff said they granted the contractor two separate time extensions — a five‑day extension for work outside the contractor’s control and an additional six days after an issue with a newly installed curb — for a total of 11 extension days; damages were assessed for the additional days beyond the schedule. The contractor has filed a claim; the authority initially denied the claim and is scheduling a regional review to hear the matter.

Matthew, the authority’s project lead for the paving work, said staff did not require the contractor to return immediately for the curb remediation but scheduled the needed repairs and assessed damages for the later work. Staff noted that two southbound lanes still need resurfacing and that design work is underway to schedule that work in 2026–2027 so the north‑ and southbound overlays remain coordinated per the 2020 deck study.

Staff told the board they believe the southbound overlay has roughly another year of useful life and prefer to repave in 2027 to avoid creating a gap in service life between the northbound and southbound overlays. The design is close to final and staff plan to include the work in a 2026 procurement so resurfacing can be completed the following season.

The contractor’s claim is scheduled for regional review; the authority will present its case to the review panel. No final determination on the claim was made at the meeting.