Despite the fact that the lowest bid on construction of the new Ledyard Bridge is still $2.3 million more than an earlier New Hampshire Transportation Department estimate, construction could begin this spring.
Midway Excavators submitted the lowest bid, $11.2 million, and an additional $1.1 million will be necessary to purchase land. New Hampshire officials estimated in the spring that the project would cost $10 million.
Three competitors bid $11.4, $12.3 and $12.5 million for the project.
Hanover Town Manager Cliff Vermilya said construction of the bridge will start in the spring. He said half of the new bridge will be built while traffic continues over the existing bridge and expects the project will take about two years to complete.
Gil Rogers told the Valley News that "if all goes well, the bid will go to Governor Steve Merrill and his Executive Council for final approval in December." Rogers, who works for the New Hampshire Transportation Department, said he expects the bid to be approved.
After almost a year of intense debate about the width of the new bridge, New Hampshire and Vermont officials agreed in January to make the new bridge 59-feet-10 inches wide.
The 60-year-old bridge connecting Hanover and Norwich, Vt., needs repairs because "in another five years reevaluated weight limits will prohibit school buses and other heavy vehicles from crossing," Vermilya said in April.
The new bridge will be wide enough for two bicycle/break-down lanes, two sidewalks, two vehicle lanes and a raised median.
Hanover Selectman Jack Nelson said the Ledyard Bridge Advisory Committee worked with the state for a year to determine the aesthetic qualities of the bridge.
The current plan is to construct concrete columns "with bollards on them seven feet in diameter like the entrance to the [Ledyard] Canoe Club," he said.
Nelson said four overlooks, balconies, an extended sidewalk and seating areas will make it possible for spectators to watch river events from the bridge.
