Gilford discussing logistrics of closing Gilford Ave. intersection with Laconia Bypass for repairs in 2015

GILFORD — Three years after the N.H. Department of Transportation scrapped a proposal to replace the concrete deck of the bridge on the Laconia Bypass that spans Gilford Avenue because of cost, DOT representatives told selectmen last night they were going to bid the project again.

Design engineer David Scott said they have made some design adjustments to the project and expect that it can be done for $1.7 million.

Three years ago, the DOT tried to get the project done for $1.6 million but canceled because the all of the bids were too high.

The project, said Scott, will take 60 hours and selectmen again decided that one weekend of 24-hour labor is preferable to spreading the project over five 12-hour days.

The plan is to create a large, temporary traffic circle from the four ramps that access the bridge and close the bridge section to all traffic. Scott noted that setting up the temporary detour will take place before they actually replace the deck and there will be some Jersey barriers and workers on site before the deck replacement.

Selectmen agreed on the three-day construction window but didn't initially agree on whether the construction should be done mid-week or on a weekend.

Scott said the construct targets are either early May or late September of 2015 or perhaps similar time periods in 2016. He said any summer construction was off the table.

Selectman Gus Benevides said he would prefer to stick to a weekend schedule because he wanted minimal disruption to the commuters and school buses. He asked that the DOT give as much notice as possible to the operators of the nearby Marriott TownePlace Suites so they could inform their guests.

Selectman John O'Brien initially favored a midweek construction schedule because it would effect the hotel less.

When Town Administrator Scott Dunn told the DOT representatives and reminded the selectmen that the excavation at the Liberty Hill coal tar site was occurring during the week, both agreed that a weekend would be preferable.

All agreed that the DOT should appraise the operators of Gunstock Mountain Resort about their plans.

Police Lt. Kris Kelley asked that they not do construction during NASCAR weekend or during Laconia's annual Motorcycle Week and DOT representatives agreed.

When asked Kelley said that if they were to do the construction over the Winni Fishing Derby weekend traffic would be manageable.