AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Department of Transportation quietly sought bids on the $300,000 east-west highway study two weeks before Gov. Paul LePage signed the bill authorizing the study.

One of the project’s key legislative supporters this week asked the governor to slow down the process, and LePage announced a day later that he would extend the time line to complete the study.

The Portland Press Herald reported Thursday that the MDOT initiated bids without public notice and stopped seeking proposals nine days before LePage signed the bill on April 5.

Spokesman Ted Talbot said the MDOT was being proactive by initiating the bids in “preparation for legislative action.” In the end, the department received only one bid that was ultimately rejected.