Lawrence Township Trustee Paul Metz walks to the Hune Covered Bridge in 2016. (File photo)

Washington County Commissioners this week approved the rebid for the Hune Covered Bridge rehabilitation project.

The lowest of two bidders, The Righter Co., bid $2,463,197, which was within 10% of the engineer’s estimate.

The Righter Co. made a bid in March but it exceeded estimates and had to be rebid. Ohio revised code restricts bids from being awarded if they exceed estimates by more than 10% of costs.

“The bid for Hune was approved, and it fell within those requirements,” said Commissioner Charlie Schilling.

According to information provided by county Engineer Roger Wright, the project will be funded 95% federally and 5% locally. The $75,000 from the Capital Budget request from 2019 was also awarded to the project.

After additional awarded funds, the total local funds required for the project would be around $189,000, according to information provided by Wright.

The bridge project has been in limbo since 2019 when Wright asked for $420,000 from capital funds but was awarded $75,000. Due to the mulimillion-dollar project and the lack of funding for multiple years, the bridge has remained closed.

Wright will notify the Ohio Department of Transportation and begin the reconstruction process of the bridge. More updates will be provided as the project gets underway.

In past commission meetings, Wright said there are extensive repairs that need to be made along the foundation of the bridge.

“Once the bridge project is complete, it will be shut down for traffic but open to pedestrians,” said Schilling.

The commissioners also announced the “near completion” of the Devola Sewer Improvement Project. Even though all tanks have been installed, yard restoration will remain underway with homes requiring grass re-growth and follow-up care which will be done throughout the spring and summer.

A release from commissioners included a request for patience during this time while yards were being restored.

Residents in Devola were advised to assist in the process by watering grass and avoiding mowing the new grass so it could take hold in the soil and grow.

If there are any issues, the commissioners advised residents to call the number on the control panel in the yard.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com