Work that will allow the re-opening of a bridge on the town’s 16th Line is expected to begin in about two weeks.
Council awarded the tender for the project at its July 22 meeting.
The bridge had been slated for replacement in the 2014 budget with funding secured through the province’s Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) capital program.
However the bridge has been closed since mid-May after heavy rains caused a portion of the roadway over the bridge to collapse.
At the recommendation of GM Blue Plan Engineering, council accepted the tender of Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc. The Brussels firm submitted the lowest tender of the four received at $497,999 (excluding HST), which is $77,558 (13%) lower than the engineering firm’s estimate of $575,558 and about $64,790 (11.5%) less than the next closest bidder.
“Kurtis Smith Excavating Inc. is a reputable and competent firm with which we have had success on projects in the past,” notes a report from the engineering firm.
Given the funding was in place and the town compelled to close the bridge, deputy mayor Terry Fisk asked why the project hadn’t proceeded sooner.
“We could have been at this project now, instead of just tendering the project now,” said Fisk.
Roads foreman Mike McIsaac responded that permit and design issues, as well as other details had caused some delay.
“There were various things which held this project up. We were anticipating a quicker start as well,” said McIsaac.
He pointed out that all in-water work has to be completed by Sept. 15 to comply with federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans regulations.
McIsaac noted the total cost of the project is not expected to exceed the $650,000 allocated in the budget.
Up to $585,000 in MIII funding has been allocated to the project.
“If we don’t spend the whole five-eight-five on this project can it be applied to another?” asked councillor Mary Lou Colwell.
McIsaac responded the funds could only be spent on the project for which they were awarded.
