Construction on the new Duportail Bridge will begin in February now that a Benton County judge has blocked the legal hurdle keeping the project from starting.

Apollo Construction won the bid from the city but construction was blocked by the second lowest construction company by a legal injunction, according to reports. They argued the winning and lowest bid should be dismissed and the temporary injunction was put in place.

Both sides met in court on Dec. 29 and a Benton County judge overturned the injunction allowing for Apollo Construction to be hired by Richland to build the bridge.

Apollo Construction offered to build the bridge for $25 million which is $3 million lower then the city engineer’s estimate.

City officials think that the lower price will allow them to pass on the savings to residents and lower the $20 car tab increase to a smaller amount after 2019.

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