Guelph-Eramosa officials say a paving project on the 6th Line and Speedvale Avenue should be completed by Sept. 30, about two months later than originally expected.
Public works manager Ken Gagnon said in an interview on Sept. 10 he expects Cox Construction to be “on site” on Sept. 13 and to complete the work by the end of the month.
Earlier this year the township approved Cox Construction’s low bid of $379,526 with an agreed completion date of late July or early August.
“The reason for the defined timeline was that the public works department wanted the projects completed by … the beginning of the school year,” Gagnon said in his report to council.
He said township staff had the 6th Line portion of the project ready for asphalt since the second week of July.
However, during conversations with Cox officials, Gagnon said the township was informed the company was “experiencing difficulties” opening its new plant.
“There is no estimate on when the quoted asphalt would be available,” Gagnon told council.
With the end of the construction season closing quickly, he suggested the township could cancel the contract with Cox Construction and award the project to the second lowest bidder, Guelph Paving Ltd. ($441,650), which stated it could start work on Sept. 14.
Gagnon expressed regret about spending more than $62,100 extra, but said the township has little choice considering it must spend gas tax funds this year or risk next year’s payment.
Council endorsed his recommendation to give Cox Construction an ultimatum stating if it does not start the project at 8am on Sept. 13 the township would disqualify its proposal and give the job to Guelph Paving.
Gagnon said he delivered the message to Cox officials shortly thereafter and they agreed to meet the project specifications and timelines.
“They’ll have it completed by Sept. 30,” Gagnon told the Advertiser on Sept. 10. “I’m hoping they’ll be on site on [Sept.13].”
