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County panel moves two federal-aid bridge projects to full board; local shares disclosed
Summary
Washington County public-works committee voted unanimously to send two federally funded bridge joint-replacement projects to the full board. Staff said federal funds cover 80% of costs, the state 15% and the local share ranges from about $19,361 to an $88,105 local contribution paid by the IDA for another bridge.
The Washington County Department of Public Works committee voted unanimously April 28 to forward two federally funded bridge joint-replacement projects to the county’s full board for final approval.
Department staff said the projects replace joints on bridges over the Batten Kill in Easton and Greenwich and in Granville. The contract for the work has already been awarded; the committee was asked to approve removing the associated line items so the projects can proceed through budgeting and finance review.
The projects will be funded primarily by federal aid. "This is a federal funding job, so 80% is paid by the feds," staff said, adding that the state provides 15% and local governments cover 5% of project costs. For the first project staff identified a local share of $19,361. For the Lock 8 Way project the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will cover a local share of $88,105, staff said.
Committee members asked how a finance committee decision would affect the projects. Staff said a negative decision in finance would leave an awarded project without the ability to pay bills until funding is resolved: the project exists but expenditures cannot be made until finance approves a budget amendment.
Members also questioned increases in project costs compared with older estimates. For the Lock 8 Way project staff reported a construction allotment of $1,762,100 and a design allotment of $361,070; some members expressed surprise that the total approached $2 million compared with much lower figures discussed years earlier.
The committee approved a motion to move the bridge items to the full board by voice vote.
Next steps: the items will appear on the finance committee agenda with a schedule A that details the federal, state and local financing portions; the full board will act afterward.
