The apparent low bid for the second contract on the Port Authority's light-rail extension came in at $48.9 million today, well over budget.

Authority officials wouldn't say how much the bid for the new Gateway Center Station shell exceeded engineering estimates, but the number is well beyond the $25 million-$30 million range that they discussed two months ago.

The low bidder was North Shore Constructors II, a joint venture of West Mifflin-based Trumbull Corp. and Japan-based Obayashi Corp., who currently hold the initial $156.5 million contract to bore twin tunnels under the Allegheny River for the 1.2-mile North Shore Connector.

Joseph B. Fay Co., of Tarentum, submitted the only other bid: $55.7 million.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.