WINTERSVILLE, Ohio — The Village of Wintersville will seek new bids for its planned Cadiz Road improvement project after all three construction proposals came in well above the project’s estimated cost.
Village Council voted Thursday to reject each of the submitted bids after officials determined they exceeded the engineer’s estimate of approximately $1.83 million by more than Ohio law allows.
Village Administrator Jesse Kosegi said the unexpectedly high bids will require the project to be reevaluated before it can move forward.
Officials now plan to review the project’s specifications to identify areas where costs may be reduced and determine why construction estimates came in significantly higher than anticipated.
The project includes replacing approximately one mile of water line between the village water tank on Woodridge Drive and Park Drive, resurfacing Cadiz Road from Canton Road to Park Drive, replacing sections of sidewalk and installing new ADA-accessible curb ramps.
Three contractors submitted proposals ranging from roughly $2.35 million to more than $2.57 million.
Kosegi said one potential cost-saving measure could involve having the village’s police department handle traffic control during construction rather than contracting that work. Officials also believe uncertainty surrounding future asphalt prices may have contributed to the higher bids.
Mayor Mike Petrella said the village hopes to make revisions quickly and advertise the project for rebidding by the end of July, pending discussions with the project’s engineers and contractors.
In other business, village officials announced that new LED lighting has been installed along Grove Street and the Village Building parking lot, with additional lighting planned for Cadiz Road.
Jefferson County Commissioner Tony Morelli also presented the village with $10,000 in county recreation funding to support local parks and community programs.
The village’s Summer Parks Program will continue through July 31 for children ages 5 to 13, and officials welcomed Lock and Load Coffee Co. as one of Wintersville’s newest businesses.
Council also learned the village received $69,176.53 in marijuana tax revenue from the State of Ohio for June and approved annual dues to the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission.
Village officials said a new text notification system for emergencies such as water main breaks and boil advisories is expected to be available to residents soon.
The next Wintersville Village Council meeting is scheduled for Aug. 6.
