The company has gone out of business. They've not been able to stay financially afloat and are unable to do the work they've been contracted to perform.

This is the reason we used asphalt instead of concrete for the road surface. It's easier and less costly to repair asphalt rather than concrete roads.

We have made design adjustments with the intent of avoiding the shrine. We are pretty confident we will be able to avoid it.

This is uncharted water here; this is the first time the turnpike commission has done this. I don't even know if it would be feasible for the bonding company to take over (Smith & Johnson). There may not be any employee infrastructure to use.

As any bidder, Smith & Johnson was required to secure services of a bonding company in the role of an insurance company. If for whatever reason the contractor is unable to perform, the bonding company steps in and takes over responsibility for the work.

But Frank and I had never played together.

Work is behind, but 65 percent is not that far behind. Whether or not we'll be able to open the highway on time remains to be seen. The situation will be clearer in a week or two.

They had gotten complaints from subcontractors and vendors who were not getting paid in a timely manner. As the complaints became more frequent, it was a sign the contractor was having some serious problems and would be unable to fulfill their obligations. That is when it reached the point to protect the commission's interest and take the steps necessary to get the project finished.

The way I feel now, I'm 45 years old and I have a new life. I feel reborn. I'm alive again.