County official says Coward Mill Road costs rose after phased bids, railroad and right‑of‑way work; board told phase two due April 2026

The Knox County representative in charge of the Coward Mill Road project briefed the Board of Education during the Nov. 3 work session, explaining why the project’s price tag has increased since earlier estimates and when the district can expect the road work to finish.

Mr. Snowden told the board that the project was divided into phases after the school opened early, which increased costs because the project required two mobilizations and two sets of traffic control and other lump‑sum items that are expensive up front. He said railroad coordination added roughly "almost a million dollars" to the cost and that multiple right‑of‑way acquisitions in the second phase lengthened the timeline and raised expenses.

"The second phase is to be completed in April 2026," Snowden said, adding he and county staff believe they may open the new bridge in March and provide pedestrian access along the corridor. He told board members this should be the final request to the board for additional funding.

Board members asked for the project timeline and for any additional documentation; staff said county engineers and the project’s PBA budget will provide the formal numbers and that the district requested the county representative attend the meeting to answer questions.

What’s next: the county and district staff will share final bids and any fund‑balance request memos with the board; no additional board action was recorded that night beyond Q&A with the county representative.