Tift County flags $2.46 million low bid for Ferry Lake/New River Church intersection project
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
County staff told commissioners a low construction bid of $2,461,926.33 far exceeds the $790,975 estimate because of required right-of-way acquisition and underground utility relocation; the board sent the item to the Dec. 11 regular meeting for further discussion.
At a Dec. 5 workshop, Tift County Manager Jim Carter told the Board of Commissioners that a low bid of $2,461,926.33 for improvements at the Ferry Lake Road and New River Church Road intersection is far above the project's original estimate of $790,975.
The project—aimed at easing heavy traffic near Tift County High School during peak arrival and dismissal times—would add turn lanes on New River Church Road and install signals on all intersection approaches to allow controlled, uniform traffic flow. Carter said the higher bid reflects the need to acquire additional right-of-way and to relocate underground utilities that were not anticipated in the original scope.
"Property acquisition, and the relocation of utility lines coupled with the inflationary cost of construction are the main contributors to the difference in price between the initial cost estimate and the actual bid price," Carter said. No vote was taken; the board indicated it wants the item placed on the Regular Agenda for Dec. 11 for fuller discussion.
The county has not yet identified a funding plan to cover the gap between the estimate and the bid. Commissioners will consider whether to proceed as bid, rebid, reduce scope, or seek alternative funding when the item returns for a formal decision.
Next steps: the intersection improvement will be discussed at the Tift County Board of Commissioners regular meeting on Dec. 11, 2023.