City hall’s engineering services department needs an extra $150,000 to complete upgrades to several intersection projects since the budget for these initiatives faces a deficit of almost $130,000.
During the July 12 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve the department’s request to transfer $150,000 from the 2021 SS1 storm sewer budget to the 2021 TR3 traffic control capital budget to complete the intersection upgrades.
One incomplete intersection project dates back to 2016, while other unfinished initiatives include intersection upgrades, design and construction of a signalized intersection, pedestrian crossings, pathway completion, and an outstanding 2018 invoice.
Two main projects include upgrades to the intersection at First Avenue Northwest and High Street West and installing traffic signals on Thatcher Drive East for the future Canadian Tire site.
The department awarded this contract to Can-Traffic Services Ltd. — it was the only company to bid on the tender — for $989,745.32, including PST. This amount was 32 per cent over budget.
Engineering services budgeted $1.15 million for the 2021 intersection upgrades budget, but the contract value came in at $1.31 million, the council report said. After factoring in a change order, additional expenses, and contingency, the budget deficit is $127,309.68.
Projects seeing deficits include the bid price for construction services this year (over by $101,089.72), upgrades to the Iron Bridge crosswalk (over by $3,457.68), and pathway construction at Thatcher Drive West and Main Street North on the north side that wasn’t completed in 2016 (over by $16,229.28). Other deficits include improvements to pedestrian crossings at Langdon Crescent, Athabasca Street East and First Avenue Northeast (over $54,930.76), and an outstanding invoice from 2018 of $1,592.93.
Meanwhile, city hall budgeted $2.08 million in the 2021 storm sewer budget; $1.02 million is still available in this account.
“This transfer will not affect any committed projects under SS1 storm sewers,” the report added.
Council discussion
Bevan Harlton, director of engineering services, explained that a new set of traffic lights will be installed on Thatcher Drive East between the Superstore entrance and Highland Road to accommodate the Canadian Tire development.
(A review of a map shows the traffic lights will likely be near the entrance to Staples and that strip mall).
That Canadian Tire site will have two access points, including one coming from the west and a second requiring traffic lights so vehicles coming east can turn left, he continued. Installing these lights will mean cutting the centre median and installing a turning lane.
“That’s a lot of lights along Thatcher there,” chuckled Coun. Dawn Luhning. “But with the increase in traffic, it will be warranted. … That’s what happens when you get development on the outskirts.”
The construction at the intersections near Langdon Crescent, Athabasca Street East and First Avenue Northeast will improve pedestrian access, Harlton continued. City hall has received many complaints during the last four years, while the public works advisory committee also brought it to the department’s attention.
Work to improve these intersections included adding ramps, cutting back medians so pedestrians can walk straight across the street, and enhancing signs.
Engineering department staff were made aware of the outstanding 2018 invoice during a construction meeting, Harlton told Coun. Heather Eby. A traffic technician reviewed that contract and confirmed that the city had some “hold backs” due to deficiencies that the contractor is supposed to address.
“We’re still working with them on that to ensure they meet our standards,” he added. “That will be paid out this year. It is not something we contemplated (happening) at the start of the year.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 26.
