MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting bids for the new Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center have now been opened. The county Department of Public Works received six bids for the construction of the center, with project costs ranging up to $140.5 million. The low-bidder submitted a proposal a great deal below the projected construction costs. Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro said the center was already projected to save the county millions each year in operating costs. With the bids coming in considerably lower than originally estimated taxpayers will now see additional savings “...while finally replacing an expensive, ineffective, and inappropriate facility — that we should rid ourselves of.” The winning bid, made by Pike Company of Rochester, came in at a total of $110 million, well below estimated and authorized funding even with a significant contingency built into the cost. The contracts must be finalized. In March 2016, the Dutchess County Legislature voted to approve funding for the design and construction of the new justice center. According to county officials, the new center will save taxpayers more than $5 million annually beginning in the first year of operation. In recent years, Ulster, Greene, and Schoharie county have all also built new jail facilities, spending millions without sharing the costs. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.