There have been design mistakes, financial blunders, contamination problems and irregular oversight on the botched Lewiston Road project, now going on its fourth year, yet the engineering firm of Wendel Duchscherer, responsible for designing and overseeing the work, got paid millions.

Residents on Lewiston Road have had their road disturbed and dust flying everywhere, with possible exposure to harmful radiation. The city struggled to find answers as to why the job is not done. The contractor, Man O’ Trees, claiming he was surprised when contaminants buried under the road were 600 percent more than estimated, is in litigation with the city.

Wendel’s original contract was for $724,382. Change orders, occasioned in part by engineering problems, worked in their favor, including $1,178,945 for inspecting the lagging work. Wendel has $3,112,781 in total change orders. Their total bill to date is $3,837,100 and the work reconstruction is not half done. Wendel’s latest bill is for $159,325. A new contractor is expected to come on site sometime this year or next year and there will likely be more change orders for Wendel down the long unfinished road.