Council has approved the tender for construction of pedestrian signals on Garafraxa Street East at Victoria Terrace in Fergus.
The move followed a report from CFO Wes Snarr who recommended council award the tender to Ducon Utilities Limited of Burlington, in the amount of $42,253 inclusive of contingency allowance, and excluding the HST.
Snarr noted the project replaces existing pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection of Victoria Terrace and Garafraxa Street in Fergus with pedestrian-activated red, yellow and green traffic signals.
The crossing is used by numerous children on their way to and from Victoria Terrace Public School and nearby Wilkie Park.
In the summer of 2012, the existing flashing yellow pedestrian signals at this location stopped functioning.
“Since the parts required to repair this vintage of pedestrian signal are no longer commercially available, the full replacement of the pedestrian signals is necessary,” said Snarr.
He added the township has pedestrian-activated red, yellow and green traffic signals and related components in storage for future reuse. When the traffic signals were installed at the intersection of Strathallan Street and St. David Street earlier this year for the SmartCentres development, the pedestrian signals from the midblock crossing of St. David Street between Parkside Drive and Strathallan Street were removed.
Public works staff recovered the pedestrian signals and related components and stored them for future reuse; the signals are relatively new and meet current regulations
Snarr noted the purchase is not within the budget but the amount can be covered via savings generated from favourable contract pricing for various projects as reported to council from August to October.
Councillor Fred Morris asked if this would result in the replacement of the current crossing guard – “or be in addition to?”
Snarr said the move would replace the crossing guard.
Council endorsed the move.
