Tunnel Project Moving Forward in Lafayette LAFAYETTE, IN (wbaa) - Lafayette officials will continue to work to cut costs on a downtown sewer project.

The city's Board of Works awarded an $18.5 million contract for the tunnel Tuesday.

City Engineer Jenny Bonner says the contractor has indicated there are areas where money can be saved.

Bonner says even though the price is still roughly $2 million more than the city wants to pay, it is a major improvement over the $28 million bid received earlier this year.

She says the city made some changes to make the project more attractive to contractors before soliciting a second round of bids.

Bonner says the tunnel will keep raw sewage out of the Wabash River during heavy rainfall.

It will be built from the Pearl River Lift Station near First and Chestnut Streets, run along Second Street, and come out at Riehle Plaza.

Construction is expected to start in March or April. © Copyright 2012, wbaa