Norwich - The $22 million Norwich Transportation Center is essentially completed, but closing out the project with state and federal overseers will cost $94,000 more than anticipated.

The City Council Monday unanimously approved adding $94,000 to the $1 million engineering contract with the firm GM2 Associates to cover 221 days of work beyond the original contract term of 700 calendar days.

Norwich Community Development Corp. Executive Director Robert Mills said GM2 was hired as required by the state Department of Transportation to serve as "resident engineers" overseeing all aspects of the project, including assurances that the requisite numbers of minority and disadvantaged subcontractor companies were on the job.

Mills said while construction is completed, closing out all contracts with DOT officials to ensure the city receives reimbursement through the project's federal and state grants is taking much longer than anticipated. He said DOT officials are still reviewing invoices from nearly a year ago.

- Claire Bessette