The city of Minot is weighing its options after bids on a major downtown infrastructure project came in more than 25 percent above the expected cost.
The city had estimated a $23.3 million project, but the lowest bid was $29.7 million. The city and its engineering team will be reviewing bids before bringing a recommendation to the city council in January.
City Engineer Lance Meyer says that if the recommendation is to accept the low bid, the city will have to find a way to make up the shortfall.
The project will replace 26 blocks of water mains, sanitary sewer lines, storm sewer lines, streets, sidewalks, street lights and other city infrastructure. A large part of the downtown underground infrastructure is 80-100 years old.