Authority accepts Wisconsin Street bridge plans, authorizes bid process

The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority voted to accept revised plans and specifications and to authorize staff to advertise bids for the Wisconsin Street bridge project.

Agency staff presented a revised estimate and design updates, including demolition of a bait shop and minor amendments to plans after a later-than-expected inspection. The presentation noted the plans include replacing roadway and bridge elements, adding a sidewalk on one side and installing handrails and guardrails. Staff said the road would be raised roughly 3.5 feet in the area of the bait shop to address flooding and that the project’s overall engineer’s estimate was about $3,100,000.

Staff described a proposed advertisement schedule: place the bid notice in the paper by Wednesday, keep it open four weeks, hold a pre-bid meeting two weeks after advertisement, and address questions before bids are due. The board discussed funding; staff said costs were being split roughly 50/50 with the county and that utility relocations (frontier/electric and American Water) would be handled separately by those utilities.

“What this does is address stormwater and raise the roadway to provide relief from flooding,” an agency official said, explaining the design rationale.

A member moved to accept the plans and specifications and authorize bidding; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board will review bids and expect a recommendation once bid openings and evaluations are complete, likely returning the matter to the board at a future meeting.