Authority authorizes bidding on Wisconsin Street Bridge with modest roadway raise and demolition

The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted to accept final plans and authorize advertisement for bids on the Wisconsin Street Bridge project.

An agency official told trustees the plans include demolition of a bait shop and a limited roadway widening to accommodate a sidewalk and handrails; the south side of the roadway adjacent to the bait shop will be raised by about 3.5 feet. The official said bids would be advertised in the local paper ‘‘by Wednesday’’ and left open for four weeks, with a pre‑bid meeting about two weeks after advertisement.

The presenter said the project estimate was revised after inspectors completed structural reviews; the work will be broken out so roadway, lighting and bridge elements show separately and utilities such as Frontier and American Waters will pay relocation costs specific to their work. He said funding was expected to be split roughly 50/50 with the county and that staff had prepared a line‑item cost breakout for review.

A motion to accept the plans and specifications and authorize the bid advertisement was made by Mr. Broadway and seconded by Mr. Gutierrez; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Staff told the board the bids are expected to be returned and presented for award in late March or at the first April meeting.

Board members discussed flood‑relief options for the corridor and whether a longer span or raising the approach offered a better long‑term fix; staff said the chosen design balances hydraulics with a limited roadway profile change and that additional modeling and permits would be obtained as needed.

The board will consider the lowest responsive bid and return the project for formal award and contract authorization at a future meeting.