Oak Harbor City officials may be holding their collective breath over the next few weeks as the SE Pioneer Way Improvement Project has entered a pivotal stage.

In a 6-1 decision, the City Council gave the green light Tuesday to seek bids from construction firms to turn the downtown street into a one way. The decision, which follows nine months of painstaking preparations, from design work to fighting legal battles with merchants over sidewalk rights, will be the deciding factor in whether or not the controversial project remains within budget and is completed on deadline.

“The contractor can make or break you on these projects,” City Administrator Paul Schmidt said.

The cost of construction is expected to be about $4.14 million, making up the largest single piece of the total $8.35 million cost. While no one knows just how the bids will come back, Schmidt said he does not expect anyone to turn “blue in the face” from holding their breath as the bidding climate looks good.

“There’s certainly no guarantees but all the indications show we’ll get a favorable bid,” Schmidt saidxxxxxx0x.

State law requires municipalities to engage in a competitive bidding process when capital projects exceed a certain dollar value. The idea is to make sure the public gets a fair price and that decision makers aren’t giving preferential treatment to select companies.

According to the agenda bill presented to the council, the project involves the reconstruction of about 2,400 linear feet of roadway within seven downtown business district blocks, replacing pavement, sidewalks, and burying power and utility lines underground.

The project also includes work such as the installation of traffic controls, fire hydrants, water and sewer lines, storm drainage water quality facilities and landscaping.

City Councilman Scott Dudley was the sole council member to vote against Tuesday’s agenda item. He said later that he cast a “no” vote for several reasons, ranging from project expenditures on consulting firms and public art to his opposition to a one-way plan as opposed to a two-way plan.

“I’ve been against it and will continue to be against it,” Dudley said.

According to Schmidt, the bidding process will likely run the next four to six weeks. If all goes well, a recommendation for the winning bid should be before the council by Feb. 1.