The Franklin Board of Public Works and Safety on Jan. 22 approved three change orders for the Andy Street project after the city’s assistant engineer described the work and financial impacts.

Assistant City Engineer Matt McElroy presented change order No. 9 ($50,218.71) for subgrade treatment related to storm sewer conflicts; No. 10 ($7,008.30) for removal of retired gas and water lines; and No. 12 (approximately $49,350) to add a concrete curb along sidewalks and several residences. McElroy said the combined change orders amount to about a 12.913 percent increase to the contract, which is below the 20% threshold required by INDOT for state projects.

McElroy also told the board that a forthcoming change order No. 13 is expected to be a quantity-balancing adjustment and that it is likely to be a negative change of roughly $113,000. He warned that reimbursements from INDOT can be substantially delayed, meaning the city may wait a prolonged period to recoup any overpaid amounts.

Mayor Barnett said the city typically has little choice when INDOT approves change orders for state jobs and that the board’s role is to place its blessing on the approved items. The board approved the presented change orders by voice vote.

What happens next: Staff will monitor unit tab calculations with Crossroad Engineers and await the final balancing change order; no financing action or additional appropriation was recorded at the meeting.