Arden Road rehabilitation cost overrun totals $195,000

Craig Bakay | Aug 09, 2017

In his report to Central Frontenac’s regular Council meeting Tuesday at Oso Hall, Public Works Manager Brad Thake noted that the Rehabilitation of Arden Road has gone over budget by $195,000. The tender commenced in 2016 for 2.4 kilometres and an extension of the tender was added in early 2017 for an additional 1.6 kilometres. In his report, Thake said: “The first phase (2.4 kilometres) was halted as time ran out with only surface treatment remaining to complete.

The 2016 budget amount allocated was $260,000. So far, $263,557 has been spent on phase one, and surface treatment will cost another $110,000, according to the report The 2017 budget for the 1.4-kilometre second phase is $210,000. Phase 2 is now ready for surface treatment, but to this point $245,000 has already been spent. To complete the surface treatment for Phase 2 will be about $60,000. When all of the numbers are added up, there is a shortfall of $195,000/ “This project commenced in 2016 and was underfunded from the beginning,” Thake said. “There is speculation we can offset some of the overrun costs through cost savings from other capital projects by year end.” Treasurer Michael McGovern said that it’s conceivable the funding can be taken from reserves as long as there are sufficient funds allocated in the 2018 public works budget to replace the reserves. “There’s a big difference between what we thought the cost would be and what it is,” said Deputy Mayor Brent Cameron. “We’re not anywhere near the ballpark where we thought we’d be.” Council Tom Dewey said that it would be a good idea, since the project is underway, to add guardrails in certain spots. “Tom, there’s no more extras,” said Councillor Cindy Kelsey. “Extra culverts and things sucked up the money for surface treatment,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “But we’ve got a good road there and we have to cover it up.” Council approved the overages. New grader At Public Works Manager Brad Thake’s recommendation, Council also approved the purchase of a new grader putting a limit of $325,000 plus taxes on the purchase. Council had already approved $250,000 plus taxes to purchase a used grader but Thake said after receiving quotes and testing demo units “it has become evident that purchasing a used grader may not be cost effective.” Thake said the the 2017 Public Works current reserve is about $190,00 but it would be feasible to borrow $135,000 from general reserves this year with a repayment in 2018. Treasurer Mike McGovern said the plan was feasible provide reserves are restocked.

“So next year’s roads budget will have to have $325,000 for a grader in it,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “So you just get a shovel and a pick-axe next year,” said Cindy Kelsey to Works Manager Thake K&P – reaching the end of the trail. Frontenac County Manager of Economic Development Richard Allen told Central Frontenac Council that “all the agreements (for land acquisition) are in place for the last phase of the K & P Trail and it’s just a matter of how quickly the various banks act.” He said there were a number of areas (many adjacent to St. Georges Lake) where they had to divert the trail from the rail bed because houses had been built on it. There are other areas where the former rail bad passes over some swampy areas, but given the multitude of uses for the trail a boardwalk just wasn’t feasible. All of this means crossing Road 38 more than the original plan would have liked but Allen said “if we work together we can mitigate a lot of the safety concerns people have expressed.” County CEO Kelly Pender said they are finally at a point where they can produce a “final map” and as far as liability goes, “the County will indemnify the Township. “However, we all know that doesn’t get you out of all lawsuits but the insurance companies are working on an agreement.”