If the owners fail to elect to take the work, and to enter into a written contract therefor within 10 days, or to commence the work within 15 days after the date of the written contract, and to prosecute the work with diligence to completion, the superintendent of streets shall enter into a contract with the original bidder to whom the contract was awarded, and at the prices specified in his or her bid.

(Amended by Stats. 1986, Ch. 195, Sec. 54.)