The budget from the bridge was increased last week to US$93.7 million from the US$77.7 million approved in 2010. The revised cost is associated with factors including increased engineering and project management and increased construction costs. The US$7.7 million increase in the construction cost covers aspects such as the need to build larger cofferdams and revised steel fabrication costs as a result of more detailed design information.
The rolling bascule bridge has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre and MMM Group.
Three contractors will be selected to bid based on their qualifications. Once prequalified, the city will work with the three to identify any opportunities to refine the engineering design to realise cost savings.
The request for qualifications process will close on 5 April The contract to build the new Johnson Street Bridge is expected to be awarded in October.
