Mapleton awards paving, bridge tenders

MAPLETON – Costs for road paving and bridge work in Mapleton are expected to come in under budget this year, thanks to the township approving its budget and putting contracts out for tender early.   

Township staff awarded tenders for the programs without council approval because the contract values fell under the budgeted amount. 

Road paving 

A tender for Mapleton’s annual hot mix paving program was awarded to Cox Construction for $965,527. 

Township asset and procurement manager Aman Bains said the program was tendered in December – “significantly earlier than we have done in previous years, and prior to many municipalities finalizing their budgets.”

Mapleton was the first Wellington County municipality to pass its 2026 budget on Nov. 25. 

This meant “more favourable conditions” that led to lower bids, she told council while presenting a report about the tender awards on May 26.     

The program addresses roadway sections identified through pavement condition assessments, risk analysis and lifecycle planning, according to the report.

“The goal is to preserve road quality, improving rideability and reducing long-term maintenance costs,” it states.

This year’s program includes stretches of Concessions 3 and 4, totalling nearly 10km, set to be repaved between July 20 and Aug. 28.  

Nine bids were submitted for the project, along with technical and cost proposals. 

The township budgeted $2,270,800 for the hot mix paving program, including pulverizing the existing asphalt, placing granular, rehabilitating gravel shoulders, painting lines and internal costs for labour and equipment – components that are not included in Cox Construction’s bid. 

Bains said township staff expect the total cost of the program to come in under budget, but “the exact amount is not yet known.”  

Provincial and federal funding will offset $1,535,220 of the cost, with the rest coming from infrastructure reserves ($463,084) and development charges ($272,496). 

Bridge work 

A steel truss bridge on Sideroad 6, about 90m south of Wellington Road 109, is set to be replaced between July and October by South Shore Contracting. 

The company was the lowest bidder, at a cost of $1,435,919.  

The project is part of the annual bridge rehabilitation and replacement program, which is determined through third-party, independent structural inspections. 

The township budgeted $1,650,000 for the program, with almost $200,000 coming from reserve funds and $1,452,000 from Mapleton’s infrastructure reserve fund.  

Savings for both the road paving and bridge replacement will remain in the township’s infrastructure reserve funds, finance director Patrick Kelly told council.