The ambitious project that would add boat docks to Delaware River at the end of Mill Street in Bristol Borough has hit a snag.
The two contractors who bid on the built project both came in about $450,000 over the estimated $2 million construction price tag, according to officials. Roughly $400,000 is needed to pay engineering and permit fees.
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Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said Wednesday the council will be discussing three possible options at their next meeting.
- Option 1: Ask the county for additional funding to cover the added costs
- Option 2: Ask the state for more funding
- Option 3: Reject the two submitted bids and rebid the entire project
DiGuiseppe said borough officials will have to meet with the engineers for the project to see if anything can be done to scale back the cost to build the floating docks, which are expected to handle more than two dozen boats. He added state law dictates the borough only has a certain period of time to decide what their going to do with the bids.
Recently, the county awarded the project $520,000 in open space money reserved for waterfront projects. Last year, the county open fund grant provided $480,000 for the project. The project received a large grant from the United State Fish and Wildlife Service in the spring of 2013.
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Bristol officials last year called the project “an anchor to the future” for the historic riverside town. Officials said they hope the easy riverside access will lead to an economic boost for the local economy.
DiGuiseppe said he was hopeful the snag in the anticipated project would be resolved soon.
