Redevelopment Authority authorizes bidding for Wisconsin Street bridge project

The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted to accept plans and specifications and to authorize advertisement for bids on the Wisconsin Street bridge project. The motion, made by a board member and seconded, passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Agency staff described a revised project scope that includes demolition of an existing bait-shop structure, raising the roadway on the south side of that site by about 3.5 feet, a modest widening to accommodate a sidewalk and handrails, and utility relocations. “There’s gonna be a demolition of the bait shop … the belly and the road at the south side of the bait shop’s gonna be raised up about 3 and a half feet,” an agency official said, and staff said the plan will include handrails and matching bridge components.

Staff outlined the procurement timetable: bid documents should be advertised within days, remain open for four weeks, include a pre-bid meeting roughly two weeks after advertisement, and return to the board for contractor selection at the end of March or the first meeting in April. Funding was described as split roughly 50/50 with the county, with separate cost responsibilities shown for roadway, bridge, and utility relocations; staff said utilities including American Water will pay their relocation costs.

Members discussed flood- and stormwater-related design drivers and noted new FEMA permitting questions could require additional modeling. The board approved moving forward with the bidding process so contractors can review plans and submit offers.

Next steps: staff will finalize the bid packet and publish the advertisement; bids will be considered at a future meeting when returned to the board.