Town pauses Mount Street broadband project after bids come in 2.5 times above estimates

The Town of Rising Sun on Monday paused progress on the Mount Street broadband project after contractors’ bids returned roughly 2.5 times higher than the town’s original estimates.

Town Administrator said the bids were “about 2.5 times higher than what was originally estimated,” and that staff will meet with the Rural Maryland Council to ask for more time to complete the project’s engineering, easement and bid-spec requirements. The administrator said other similar projects are reporting the same surge in bid prices.

Commissioners and staff discussed immediate fixes for Pearl Street, where residents have complained about road conditions. The Town Administrator said the board can either fund a temporary patch at a modest cost or undertake a full repave that risks being dug up again for the broadband and water-line work; the administrator said temporary patching is the likeliest near-term approach.

The Town Administrator confirmed the water-line replacement tied to the same contract will be suspended while staff pursues alternatives and potential cost savings.

The town will return to the board with more information after meetings with the Rural Maryland Council and as staff evaluates options for saving costs, the administrator said.