CLEVELAND - City officials in Cleveland are concerned about the reported increase in the utility relocation costs for phase II of the Cleveland Bypass. <br />
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The Georgia Department of Transportation is scheduled to let bids on the next bypass phase in November. Monday night, during a city council meeting, city engineer Brian Rindt told council that the utility relocation cost for the next phase has increased from $428,000 to $1.2 million. <br />
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In the past, GDOT officials said the department would cover the cost. Rindt said currently GDOT officials say there is no guarantee the state will pick up the extra cost. <br />
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"Our estimator says there's no way it's going to be one-point-two million. If they bid it today, it would be well less than that, so it's almost like, you know why are we playing with the numbers why don't you just bid it out and pay for it," Rindt said.<br />
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Council members expressed concern the additional cost could be left up to the city. <br />
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"We don't have any money to pay it," councilman Rush Mauney said. <br />
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Rindt said he will follow up with GDOT. <br />
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One of the possible reasons for the extra cost is that GDOT has extended phase II to go beyond highway 129 and up a short section of Hulsey Road. The Highway 129 intersection has numerous utilities.
