Gebhardt pathway project will cost more

The final piece of the Gebhardt pathway project proved to be the most expensive, but that didn't stop the Common Council from approving the plans Tuesday.

At a projected cost of more than $163,000 - the first two phases cost closer to $150,000 - the council still approved the lowest bid, meaning although the third of the three sections along Gebhardt was the most expensive, the price tag could have been higher.

In fact, Wolf Paving Co.'s bid, the one accepted by the council, was about $17,000 less than their closest competitor. That means the city saved at least 10 percent by going with Wolf.

The bid price also isn't the full picture when it comes to the cost to the city. Wolf's bid only covers the construction costs. With engineering, inspection, and survey costs, the project will be more like $190,000.

When it was proposed, this pathway was met with opposition, mainly from nearby homeowners who believed the pathway would not be sufficiently used to justify the necessary damage it would do to landscaping in the area.

City officials insisted that it's been part of city policy to encourage these types of pathways wherever possible and that community surveys constantly ask the city for better connectivity.

This final piece, which connects Brookfield and Barker roads, is about 5,400 lineal feet of 6-feet asphalt bike baths. It will require tree clearing, storm sewer, erosion control and other work.

Funding allocations were approved as part of the 2012 budget, although the project will wind up being more than what was originally budgeted. Brookfield will use remaining funds from the state's Capitol Drive project to pay the balance.