By BECKY KISER Hays Post

Hays city commissioners voted 3-2 tonight to accept the low bid for construction of the North Vine Street Corridor Improvement Project.

The bid from Smoky Hill Construction, Salina, was $3.5 million over estimates by the city's project engineer and by the Kansas Department of Transportation.&nbsp;

Voting in the negative were the two newest city commissioners, Michael Berges and Mason Ruder.

Ruder was also the sole voter against accepting the only engineering bid for the project from&nbsp; Kirkham Michael, Ellsworth, which passed 4-1.

Check back with Hays Post Friday morning for details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587690000838.jpeg" alt="John Braun, Hays Project Engineer, explains the scope of the N. Vine Improvement Project during Thursday's city commission meeting. Commissioners voted 3-2 to accept the low bid for construction, scheduled to begin in May. (Photo courtesy Nex-Tech)" />
 <figcaption>John Braun, Hays Project Engineer, explains the scope of the N. Vine Improvement Project during Thursday's city commission meeting. Commissioners voted 3-2 to accept the low bid for construction, scheduled to begin in May. (Photo courtesy Nex-Tech)</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostHays city commissioners voted 3-2 tonight to accept the low bid for construction of the North Vine Street Corridor Improvement Project.The bid from Smoky Hill Construction, Salina, was $3.5 million over estimates by the city's project engineer and by the Kansas Department of Transportation.&nbsp;Voting in the negative were the two newest city commissioners, Michael Berges and Mason Ruder.Ruder was also the sole voter against accepting the only engineering bid for the project from&nbsp; Kirkham Michael, Ellsworth, which passed 4-1.Check back with Hays Post Friday morning for details.

BREAKING: City commission votes 3-2 to proceed with N. Vine Street project