Werner Construction Co. of Hastings was the apparent low bidder for asphalt paving projects in Phelps County in 2008.

The Werner bid was one of five opened Tuesday morning and was $50,000 less than the bid of Paulsen Inc. of Cozad.

The Werner bid was $1,436,349. Paulsen’s bid was $1,486,365. Both were beneath the engineer’s estimate of $1.5 to $2 million. The bids will be reviewed and the contract awarded in one week. A start time for construction may be determined at that time.

The work will include 10.5 miles of resurfacing on the Polyline Road southeast from Holdrege to the Kearney County line but will extend into the village of Wilcox. Kearney County will pay for its portion of the cost.

“I’m very happy with the bids,” said Road Superintendent Tim Baxter. “With the increases in the price of oil, I didn’t know what to expect.”

If the bid had exceeded the engineer’s estimate, it might have been necessary to trim some smaller projects, including an extension of 18th Street in Holdrege, the Holdrege Cemetery Road, a small segment of county road north of Atlanta, and the entrance to the Christian Homes complex west of Holdrege.

Baxter also said bid opening is scheduled for Dec. 11 for repairs to a damaged bridge at L Road and the Gosper County line in the northwest corner of the county. Work should then begin immediately.