Brookings Airport Contract Millions Below Estimate

The first phase of a runway reconstruction project at Brookings Regional Airport will cost about $2.25 million less than planners had estimated.

Bids for Phase 1 of the project closed with Loiseau Construction of Flandreau winning with a bid of $4.75 million.

The project is expected to wrap up in 2017 and ultimately carry a nearly $19 million price tag.

Bob Babcock of Aberdeen's Homes & Associates says that it was tough to estimate how much the first phase would cost because a creek had to be rerouted and wetlands mitigated.

The city has qualified for a $7.9 million federal grant help with the project. The majority of Phase 1 is expected to be done in the spring.