Someone needs a new calculator…

Low bid on bridge demolition comes in $11.1 million under estimates.

The state of Rhosde Island received six bids for the work demolishing the old Sakonnet River Bridge between Portsmouth and Tiverton, the state Department of Transportation said today.

The lowest apparent bid of $9.4 million was submitted by S & R Corporation, the DOT said. According to local newspaper reports, the apparent low bid is $11.1 million below the engineer’s estimate for this contract.

“The Sakonnet River Bridge is located in one of the most beautiful parts of this state,” Director Peter Alviti Jr. said. “We’re eager to complete the contract award process so we can get the contractor started on this long overdue effort to remove the old bridge.”

This contract is the first of two contracts to remove the entire bridge, and will focus on the bridge’s deck and superstructure elements. Once work begins, the removal of the superstructure is expected to take approximately one year, according to the press release, and “RIDOT will make every effort to limit the impact of the work on the summer boating season.” The project will be completed in Spring 2018.

Read more here.