Contractors grow wary of bidding on state projects

Long Island construction companies, faced with yet another delay in a major project in the region - an $18.9-million road improvement project on Route 110 in Halesite - because of state budget problems, are now afraid to bid on state programs for fear they will be delayed or canceled, the association representing the companies said earlier this week.

"Contractors are reluctant to bid," said Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors' Association, which represents more than 100 of the Island's general and subcontractors and their suppliers. "They're all upset" about the latest project delay. "It's the inaction in Albany."

During the last few years LICA members have protested, demonstrated, filed lawsuits, held vigils, conducted convoy protests and met with officials in Albany, Herbst said.

The contractor on the Halesite project, he said, obtained an insurance bond, but it required work to begin in 45 days. The state budget was approved earlier this month, but by then the bond had expired. "This contractor decided to go elsewhere," Herbst said. Eileen Peters, a spokeswoman for the Long Island office of the state transportation department, said department officials were "very, very disappointed" the project has been delayed. "It coincided with the state budget problems and the freezing of contractor payments and awards." Peters said DOT plans to reopen bids and to see that the project begins this year.

But Herbst said contractors fear there will be a "cascade" of other delays or cancellations in the future. "Politicians don't understand the implications" of the delays, Herbst said. "There's a major disconnect here."