Hammitt bids under estimate

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Finally, the city has received some good news related to the Hammitt Street bridge project.
Bids opened last week have the project coming in under estimates. Reed Contracting Services Inc. of Union Grove had the low bid for the project with some $1.267 million.
Original estimates had the project coming in at some $1.5 million, but the state later raised that amount to $2.8 million. The-lower-than-expected bid should mean the project, which has been delayed for years, should move ahead.
The change will likely save the city money, too. The city has pledged up to $300,000 for the project. If the bid holds, Tankersley said, the city could save up to $250,000.
The reduced cost is attributed to a drop in fuel costs and building materials from when the original estimates were done.
The replacement of the Hammitt Street Bridge has been a long saga for city officials, who’ve seen the project delayed several times. The old wooden structure is not able to accommodate buses or emergency vehicles.
If engineering proceeds on schedule, construction work on the bridge will begin in 2009.
The project will include grading, drainage, pavement and bridge replacement on Longhorn Pass and Hammitt Street Bridge.