MARSHALL — The city of Marshall will be taking a different approach to planned improvements to a key sewer lift station, after a construction bid came in well over estimated costs. Marshall Public Works Director Jason Anderson said city staff recommended breaking the project up into smaller phases instead, to try and keep them within the budget.

The city was planning to update the lift station that collects wastewater from about a third of Marshall and pumps it to the wastewater treatment plant. The lift station, located near Minnesota Highway 23, was built after 1993 flooding in Marshall.

Anderson said the city planned to replace the lift station’s pumps, do electrical work, and make other improvements.

“We had a cost estimate on the project of $580,000,” Anderson said. However, when the city received a bid on the project, it came in at $996,000. “Based on that, and based on our budget and allowable funding for this project, we are recommending that we reject the bid,” he said.

Anderson said engineering firm Bolton & Menk recommended that the city split the project into four smaller phases instead. That way, the city could get started on the lift station improvements and work to keep them within the budget.

“That’s what we would recommend moving forward with, completing phases 1 and 2,” Anderson said. The first two phases Bolton & Menk recommended would include purchasing and installing two pumps, and completing about $60,000 of other upgrades. After that, Anderson said, the city could re-evaluate the project and replace the other components at a later date.

“Will you be re-bidding the phases?” asked Marshall City Administrator Sharon Hanson.

“We would comply with the city’s purchasing policy. It would not require a rebid in this instance, but we would solicit quotes for pumps and we would install them with our staff. Electrical work would require quotes from an electrician,” Anderson said.

Marshall City Council members voted to reject the bid, and move forward with the two recommended phases of the project instead.