Two bidders believe it would be possible to finish the proposed University of Utah light-rail extension before the 2002 Winter Olympics.
If federal funding is available anytime this spring, the 2.5-mile TRAX spur could open before the Games, said Kay Christofferson, construction vice president for Geneva Rock.That company is a member of one of two business alliances bidding to build the $105 million line for the Utah Transit Authority.
"In our proposal, we figured that we wouldn't even need to start until May," Christofferson said. A May start would allow for completion by November 2001, he said.
On Tuesday, Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson said his discussion with federal transit and transportation officials indicated $85 million in construction funds are on the way to UTA, but it appeared too late to complete the line in time for the Games.
UTA General Manager John Inglish also had doubts the train could be ready before the Games.
Even if the federal money comes through, he said, compressing the construction schedule to finish before the Games could drive the costs too high.
Christofferson said Salt Lake City Rail Constructors, of which Geneva Rock is a part, can finish the job without added costs.
"We're committed to hold the price the same," he said. But he acknowledged a construction start later than May could drive up costs.
Besides Geneva Rock, Salt Lake City Rail Constructors includes Flatiron Structures, Stacey & Whitbeck, CH2M Hill, and W.W. Construction.
The competition, West-East Rail Constructors, includes Big D Construction and Balfour Co. Big D Senior Vice President Mike Phillips said his group is confident it, too, could finish the job before 2002.
"We anticipated a tight schedule and planned for it," Phillips said. He predicted a March design start and summer construction start are early enough to get the job done.
UTA officials interviewed both bidders Wednesday and could award the contract by Feb. 11.
Inglish would not respond to the companies' claims Wednesday, he said, because the terms of their proposals are confidential.