A $2.3-million construction bid for the Sullivan Run Flood Control project in Butler has been approved, and local officials believe work will start in late August or early September.

The Pennsylvania Department of General Services on Wednesday approved a $2,364,140 bid submitted last month by Thomas Construction Inc. of Grove City, but hasn't set a date for construction to begin.

Thomas submitted the lowest of three bids. Allison Park Contractors Inc. of Gibsonia bid $2.6 million and Charles J. Merlo Inc. of Mineral Point bid $2.8 million.

“We have awarded the project. However, we don't have a contract signed, so we don't have a start date or a schedule,” said Troy Thompson, Department of General Services spokesman.

He said the contract will be sent to Thomas Construction to be signed, and a job conference and project schedule will be set up after the contract is returned to the department.

Joe Gray, city engineer, said he maintains contact with officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection about the project, and from those discussions he said he expects construction to begin in late August or early September.

He said Thomas Construction has done a lot of work in Butler over the years. The company built the Centre City parking garage in the city and does work for Cleveland-Cliffs.

“It's getting closer,” Gray said about the start of the project.

There could be some unforeseen delays, “but as far as we know it's moving forward,” he said.

The city obtained $351,608 from the Butler County Infrastructure Bank for the project and has forwarded $252,860 to the state to cover its share of the project cost.

In 2018, the city hired a contractor to replace the culvert that carries the creek under Cunningham Street as part of the project. The city also hired a contractor to remove debris from the creek bed this year and in 2019.

“I'm happy the state is finally moving forward with it,” Mayor Ben Smith said.

The work will involve removal of two culverts at the former Allegheny Axle Plant at the western end of Negley Avenue, replacing the bridge at West Brady Street and replacing the bridges at Miller Avenue and West Penn Street, combining them into one large culvert, Gray said.