Engineering consultants explained why their price estimate for a new Smithfield overhead bridge changed from 7 million dollars to 8.7 million to Quinte West Council last night.
Council didn’t seem impressed. Representatives from Totten Sims Hubicki said the first estimate was based on preliminary work, and a more detailed effort turned up significant extra costs to build the bridge.
Councillor Jim Harrison, frustrated with the process, said the price estimates should have never have varied much, adding that the original low estimate caused Council to ignore a higher estimate from another firm, Jewell Engineering.
The 8.7 million cost has been placed in next years’ capital wish list for the Public Works department.
