JONESBORO — Arkansas State University has delayed its plan to construct a side road to provide an alternate way to get across campus because of high bids.
The first phase of the project had called for a temporary road to be completed before the start of school, which was Aug. 22, The Jonesboro Sun reported.
The project was delayed after the school received high bid proposals for the project, which has been estimated at $2.5 million
University spokesman Bill Smith said officials aren't sure why the bids were hundreds of thousands of dollars over budget, though he noted that the project is partially funded by federal dollars and must meet federal design standards, which may contribute to a higher price tag. He also said that the material or the current bidding market may be factors as well.
"We want to do the best we can to get a good price," Smith said. "That combined with rain this summer put us behind. It came to a climax in the past month or so.
When the project was initially delayed in 2012, a $35,000 makeshift road was created by the university. That road was closed at the beginning of the summer.
The university's facility maintenance staff is studying how the project can be more cost-effective. A meeting with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department is scheduled for later this month.
The project is the third phase of the Marion Berry Parkway project. The $18 million parkway opened in November 2011.