Article

Bids for the Chesterton sewer line installation project have exceeded budget estimates by at least 35%. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Chicago opened bids, with the lowest being $3.5 million compared to an estimate of $2.6 million.

Another bid reached $5.1 million. Federal guidelines prohibit accepting bids over 25% of the estimate, prompting a review by the Corps for next steps. The project involves relining a 48-inch sewer line with a new 42-inch line across 3,300 feet. Funding includes a $1 million federal grant and a $1.33 million town contribution.