Ongoing water and sewer maintenance projects have created a “significant backlog” of asphalt and concrete repairs throughout the community, forcing city hall to spend over $400,000 to address over 200 locations.
During its July 24 regular meeting, city council unanimously voted to let the department of engineering services address and resolve utility repair cuts for sidewalks and paved roads for $430,000.
City hall will fund the capital-related change order through public works’ operations funding using accounts specific to the infrastructure cuts made, such as the water distribution system, water service connections or sanitary distribution system.
Utility cuts focus on removing existing asphalt and concrete during either reactive or planned projects such as repairing water main breaks, sewer repairs, water service repairs, and hydrant and valve replacements, a council report explained.
Some locations where utility cuts have been made include Fairford Street West — adjacent to the Moose Jaw Police Service building — and near 11th Avenue Northwest and Albert Street, 11th Avenue Northwest and Carlton Street, and 12th Avenue Northwest and Montgomery Street.
Public works worked with the engineering department to verify that Cypress Paving Limited — the main contractor for this year’s paved roads and sidewalks projects — could complete these extra projects, with the contractor confirming it could, the report continued.
“For proper management and warranty considerations, asphalt utility cuts completed by Cypress Paving (1976) Ltd. will be constrained to locations where repairs are greater than 20 square metres,” the document noted. “Public works will focus their resources on repairing the smaller-sized locations.”
According to city administration, there are 80 road asphalt repair locations — initially, there were 58 — greater than 20 square metres with an estimated repair cost of $230,000. Moreover, 125 concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter locations require repairs for roughly $200,000.
Therefore, 205 utility cuts must be made for $430,000.
The report added that the contract value of this year’s paved roads and sidewalks projects is $2,647,251.42, with the $430,000 representing 16.2 per cent of the contract value.
Bevan Harlton, director of engineering, explained that city crews repaired underground infrastructure during the winter — many were service connections from the street to a residence — and could only cover the locations with temporary gravel or cold mix asphalt fixes.
“We have many of those (road cuts) and we’ve never been able to get caught up. These would be cuts across the pavement, so there would be significant dips,” he said. “That number we’re repairing (of 205 total utility cuts) should make a significant difference to driving.”
Mayor Clive Tolley was pleased that city hall would repair the sidewalk adjacent to police headquarters, where crews replaced a fire hydrant. He pointed out that many tourists walk that street and must do so safely.
“I really applaud this creative and innovative solution,” he added.
It’s good news that city crews will repair the utility cuts on the 700 to 800 blocks of Vaughan Street — a bus route — considering there were roughly six service connection failures there the past few years and the city applied gravel or cold mix, said Coun. Heather Eby.
“It’s gotten really bad, so I’m happy to hear it’s on the list,” she added.
Cypress Paving has not started the utility cut repairs since city administration was waiting for council’s approval, Harlton told Coun. Crystal Froese. The plan is to repair as many areas as possible before the end of 2023, while any remaining will be pushed into 2024.
“We wouldn’t be penalizing the contractor because we’re very appreciative of them working with us on this,” he said. “(Also), we would not remove or change a full paving location to complete this work.”
Froese indicated she wanted to see a report during budget about the number of outstanding repairs left, considering council approved hiring more staff last year to address the backlog.
The backlog list contains 89 issues relating to storm, sanitary or water infrastructure, which is a decrease from 100 a few months ago, said Harlton. Meanwhile, the number of water main breaks this year is 14, compared to 34 during the same period last year.
“It’s wonderful to hear our water main breaks are becoming less, but there are people who have been waiting for quite a while for things in their neighbourhood who have been on a backlog list for a couple of years,” replied Froese. “So I’m glad to see that you’re moving forward with these.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 14.
