Bid too high for sidewalk

Elmer City’s sidewalk project is up in the air as the lone bid for the work was far too high, council members were informed Thursday night.

The bid was for $306,000, far above the engineer’s estimate of $159,000.

Public works director Jimmer Tillman said the town will try again, this time allowing those on the town’s small business roster to bid on the project.

The town has a $225,000 grant from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board and was advised to reject the lone bid.

The work includes sidewalks on Front and Williams Streets and provide connections to the post office, town hall and safety improvements across Highway 155.

The project was scheduled to be bid this year with construction in 2016, but the project was moved up a year.

Tillman told the council that a year ago companies were hungry for work, but the construction climate has changed and companies have a lot of work lined up.

“Maybe someone from our small works roster will take a look at it,” he said.

The town plans to call for bids again with hopes of still getting the work done this year.