Council to negotiate with construction company

Centre Wellington staff will negotiate with Reeves Construction Limited of Mount Forest to turn that company into its single source of record for emergency bridge repairs.

Public Works Director Ken Elder reported to the committee of the whole April 11 the township has, over the years, effected emergency bridge repairs from accidents and bridge failures due to age and engineering recommendations.

He said to minimize down time and restrictive access, repairs need to be done quickly.

Township staff have used Reeves over many years and “found this local firm very responsive and fair in its ability to react effectively in returning an at risk bridge structure to full or at least partial and safe use.”

Elder said in two years the township would review its position.

“Further, any individual bridge repair activity in this request would not exceed $50,000. Any individual bridge repair activity exceeding $50,000 would be put out to public bid. Should the emergency require a larger expense over $50,000, an emergency report would be filed.

Councillor Kelly Linton asked what constitutes an emergency repair.

Elder was unable to attend the meeting, but Public Works Superintendent Les Davidson said it is any instance where a bridge needs to be closed or is a danger to the public.

Linton asked how public works would define that.

Davidson said staff would use their experience – or have an engineer make a recommendation.

He added that the emergency work would be done only if the bridge is repairable, and, “If it’s beyond that, you waste money and you’re better off closing them.”

Councillors approved the bylaw to name Reeves the provider on April 18.