Price of 'Unity Bridge' causes discord for Sioux Falls City Council

Some councilors reluctantly vote for project that blew past its estimate by $10 million

Sioux Falls Public Works Director Mark Cotter addresses questions on Jan. 17, 2023 about the Unity Bridge project and why it will cost $10 million more than estimated. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

The Unity Bridge in Sioux Falls brought disunity to the City Council Tuesday.

Some members of the council balked at the prospect of spending $21.8 million on the bridge spanning the Big Sioux River at Sixth Street in downtown after it was budgeted at about $8.8 million, and its engineering estimate was $11.1 million.

Ultimately, the council voted 6-2 to accept the bloated bid, but not until after an hour of debate and an attempt to defer the vote until a special meeting on Thursday.

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