Dips in the economy have kept construction bids lower than normal, saving the city of Knoxville tax dollars. Knoxville City Manager Dick Schrad says the two projects the council considered this week—a sewer extension on Newbold Drive for $114, 868 base bid—and street work on East Competine at Attica Road for $139,541.45—had bids at roughly half the price of original engineer cost estimates. Schrad says a council work session is being planned to discuss putting the saved dollars toward other planned projects. <<In related news, crews laid rock on South Fifth Street earlier this week, with paving from Competine to Jefferson Streets set for next week. That’s according to Knoxville Public Works Director Jeff May. He says rapid progress is set to take place within the next month.