GUELPH/ERAMOSA - Township council awarded the tender work of the culvert replacement at Conservation Road and Sixth Line Eramosa to Cox Construction Ltd. for $494,910.76 plus taxes.
At Monday’s virtual meeting, Guelph/Eramosa council awarded the tender to Cox Construction Ltd. after receiving four bids. Cox Construction Ltd. had the lowest bid with Murray Group Ltd. having the highest bid at $814,055.58.
The 2022 capital budget included separate capital projects for the replacement of culverts on Conservation Road and Sixth Line Eramosa.
The Conservation Road structure is located just east of Wellington Road 32, and the Sixth Line structure is located on a dead section north of Highway 7. Both existing structures are failing, and the projects consist of full removal and replacement.
In a report submitted by Harry Niemi, township’s director of public works, as with the recent tender for the Fourth Line box culvert replacements, tenders are reflecting the increasing costs due to inflation.
Niemi pointed out that the tendered price is over the combined approved budget for the project. However, given the severity of the issues with the Conservation Road structure, he is still recommending that the project proceed this year.
“Consideration was given to deferring the Sixth Line replacement, however as the pricing for that structure was within the estimated cost, and the combined tender provides additional savings, deferring it will not result in any future savings for replacement of critical infrastructure,” the report stated.
The additional funding of $380,000 will be taken from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Funds (OCIF) grant funding. There is still $849,000 still remaining in the OCIF funding for future infrastructure projects.
“This is not new this year, because of supply chain issues and inflation. Fortunately, we received a little extra money from the province. Like most construction projects, the sooner the construction, the better,” said Mayor Chris White.
