Newark area heavy-highway contractor A-Del was awarded the bid for the controversial Main Street reconstruction project in Newark.
A-Del’s bid came in at $13.3 million.
There were only two bidders, with Mumford & Miller Concrete of Middletown coming in at nearly $38 million.
The good news for the state was that both bids came in well under the engineer’s estimate.
Bids have been coming in below estimates, due in part to major projects like the Route 301 tollway at or near completion. Contractors have been dealing with a labor shortage as older workers retire and others take other jobs.
The Main Street project has brought concerns from businesses and residents with various suggestions on minimizing disruptions.
Complaints had also been widespread about the condition of Main Street. While some patching was done this year, officials said a major project was needed.
The project will involve excavation work due to heavy damage found on the main thoroughfare in the college town. A more modest project repaving and curb and gutter project had been anticipated.
Also included are improvements aimed at making the heavily used street and sidewalks more pedestrian friendly and meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements. The number of parking spaces will not change, although the project will cause disruptions in that area too.
The project will take 610 days to complete and is expected to get underway in March or April.
Click here for project details.
Correction: A previous version of the story had an incorrect figure for the low bid.
