Ohio watchdog questions stipends for bridge bids

COLUMBUS (AP) — The state watchdog is questioning the Ohio highway department’s plan to award $1 million stipends to unsuccessful bidders on a major bridge project.

The Ohio Inspector General said in a report today it’s not clear the Department of Transportation has the authority to pay the stipends, meant to attract firms reluctant to expend resources on bids for huge jobs.

At issue is a $450 million project to build a new bridge for Interstate 90 in Cleveland. The state has selected three companies to bid on the project.

The inspector general says the state didn’t conduct any type of in-depth analysis before coming up with the $1 million figure for the stipends, which have yet to be paid.

The inspector general warns paying the stipends could be a misuse of funds.