Cost rises for paving prep work
Engineering for Hurley Ave. project has $70K price tag
KINGSTON, N.Y. » The cost of engineering work for a project to repave Hurley Avenue will cost almost three times as much as initially anticipated.
City Engineer Ralph Swenson told the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee this week while the council has approved spending $26,000 on the engineering costs for the Hurley Avenue repaving project, the actual cost will be $70,580. He asked the committee to authorize spending the additional money for the work.
“During the selection process for the consultant, it became clear that the cost estimates were deficient,” Swenson told the committee. And he said the city will need more money not only for the engineering costs, but for the overall project as well.
Swenson said much of the cost
will be reimbursed to the city because the work qualifies as a federal highway project. Generally, the city would only pay a 5 percent match, he said.
The committee ultimately adopted resolutions authorizing the additional expense and borrowing the extra needed money. Those resolutions still must be adopted by the full council, which meets again Feb. 6.
The Ulster County Transportation Council previously awarded the city $451,639 in federal highway funding for the project.
Swenson said the city is applying for more funding through the transportation council and that he was told that there was sufficient money available for the project. He said the consultant estimated the entire project would cost about $916,000.
The project is to consist of repaving the entire length of Hurley Avenue within the city limits, as well as making handicapped-accessible improvements at all cross streets. The project also would include the addition of a bicycle lane.
Previously, Swenson said he would recommend the city hire Barton & Loguidice Engineering of Liverpool, N.Y., to perform the design work for the project. He said it was one of five firms that expressed interest in the job.