The Alabama Department of Transportation has not yet awarded the bid for extensive repairs for South Three Street in Andalusia, early word is that the bids came in near expected costs.

City Clerk John Thompson told council members Tuesday that bids were opened Fri., July 29.

“We are waiting to hear officially from ALDOT,” Thompson said.

The State of Alabama awarded Andalusia an $8.6 million ATRIP grant in 2013 for the repairs to the southern entrance to the city. The project has been in the planning and design phases since that time, but contractors are expected to begin work in September. The work will take almost a year.

Mayor Earl Johnson said because the state is actually contracting the work, the city will have less control over it.

“But we think we’re going to have a really nice project,” he said.

Already, city utilities crews have completed preliminary work that is expected to make the project move more quickly.