Springs bid under budget

A much-anticipated plan to bring sidewalks and other improvements to Highway 12 through the Springs may cost “a little over a million dollars” less than expected, county redevelopment director Boris Sztorch said yesterday.
Petaluma-based contractor North Bay Construction tendered the lowest of five bids Wednesday at $2,465,045.
“This is a long-awaited project we’re excited about, and are preparing to issue bonds,” Sztorch said, adding that the agency has accumulated enough funds to finance the project’s first phase, from Encinas Lane to Boyes Boulevard.
Kevin Howze, a division engineer with the county public works department, explained that the decision becomes final Oct. 7 if no other contractor disputes the bid-award.
A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for Oct. 20 at the corner of Highway 12 and Thomson Avenue.