Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hudson cancels Turnpike bridge piece, cuts $1.6M from appropriations and holds $300K in contingency
Summary
City staff told council the Turnpike bridge widening project cost rose to nearly $1.9M; the city exercised a 30‑day out clause, canceled its portion, and will reduce appropriations by $1.6M while holding $300,000 in reserve to cover outstanding invoices (about $212,000).
City staff briefed Hudson City Council on Dec. 9 that the local portion of the Turnpike bridge widening project has been canceled and $1.6 million in appropriations will be removed from the 2025 budget.
Staff traced the project history to 2017 and said the scope and cost escalated over several budget cycles — from initial design estimates in the tens of thousands to construction projections approaching $1.9 million. The city moved the project from the parks fund into the street construction fund when costs rose and ultimately exercised a contractual 30‑day out clause to withdraw the city’s portion while assuming responsibility for costs incurred to date.
According to staff, the city currently expects about $212,000 in charges owed to the contractor; council directed staff to keep $300,000 on reserve in the event of further invoices, and to return for appropriation amendments. Staff said the city will pursue grant funding for the Turnpike bridge and an attached Prospect Street connector that together are estimated at roughly $1.0 million if revived in future five‑year planning.
"We did actually sign a contract in 2024 to do the project," staff said in the briefing. "Part of the contract gave us a 30‑day out clause, so we could, with 30 days notice, back out of our piece, and just pay whatever the costs were to that point." Staff framed the decision as a fiscal judgment in light of other capital priorities and the recent loss of a major employer that affected projected income‑tax revenues.
Councilors asked whether design work already paid would be reusable; staff responded that some design elements are helpful but would require redesign to meet future standards. Staff also said the decision improves near‑term general‑fund balances and will be reflected in January budget reporting.
