The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must decide what to do next for the town of Chesterton after bids to install a new pipe inside the main sewer line came in at least 35% over estimate.
Chesterton Utility Superintendent Dave Ryan said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Chicago opened the bids last Wednesday.
The project is estimated to cost $2.6 million, but the lowest bid came in at $3.5 million, Ryan said. The other construction bid was for $5.1 million, nearly double the estimate.
Ryan said the federal agency’s guideline is no construction bid can be accepted if it’s more than 25% over estimate. He said he has been advised that the engineers are reviewing the situation to determine the next step.
Chesterton was hoping this summer that it could reline the town’s 48-inch sewer line by placing a new 42-inch line within, which would stretch from Morgan Avenue and 8th Street to the wastewater treatment plant, off Woodlawn Avenue. The distance is 3,300 feet.
The main line into the wastewater plant is about 100 years old. What makes the project challenging is the line goes underneath railroad tracks.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provides overall supervision for the project.
Ryan said the town has received a $1 million federal grant, obtained through U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, to help pay for the refurbished main sewer line. The town last year contributed $1.33 million to the U.S. Army Corps toward paying for the project.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
