Some bids received for projects being undertaken by the Town of Port Hawkesbury have come in over budget.
During the regular monthly meeting of Port Hawkesbury Town Council last night, CAO Terry
Doyle provided updates on a number of completed and ongoing projects.
For the new public works building, Doyle said the architectural contract has been awarded and the conceptual designs have been completed. He said there has been a redesign of the old building for storage, and negotiations are taking place with an adjacent landowner to expand the property. He said the town is also awaiting pricing for the removal of concrete from the site and there are mechanical issues to work out there as well.
As for work to the town’s water system, Doyle said it is a large project with a “number of components.” He said the water tank demolition is complete, they are working on building tanks for the Pitt Street tank replacement, and this also involves upgrades to the MacDonald Street valve chamber and work on the eastern end of the town.
The CAO said one bid has been received for this project and the town has been working with the contractor for over a month to define what’s achievable since they “have to proceed.”
As for the Active Transportation project and sidewalk replacement on Old Sydney Road, the CAO said the design has been completed, the tenders have closed, and the design of the Tamarac Active Transportation Trail was deferred, and the town proceeded with the MacQuarrie Drive Extension project instead. He said the town also proceeded with the extension of the Active Transportation Trail on the waterfront.
The next phase was the eastern town connector which joins Cardeil Trailer Court with Trunk #4, noted the CAO. With flash flooding during the summer, he said concerns were expressed over handling extreme weather conditions, and they are considering proceeding with part of the project, including crosswalk lighting and the sidewalk along Queen Street. He said that portion of the project also came in “considerable over-budget.”
For These projects, Doyle said there were “a lot of difficulties with tenders this summer” that have come in higher than estimated.
Doyle said street line painting has been done, work on the Landrie Lake utility pumping and pipelines is ongoing, and tenders for the roof replacement of the water treatment plant was “significantly higher than our estimate” and there is not sufficient funding to move forward.
As for the Active Transportation Lane for the Eastern Town Connector and Old Sydney Road sidewalk, Doyle said the one tender received was close to estimates.
In response to a question from Town Councillor Jason Aucoin about including the Bernard Street sidewalk removal, Doyle said that will be part of the project if “the pricing is within reason,” but he added that it remains a priority for the Public Works Department.