After almost a year of delays due to an impasse between the city and a private contractor, it appears construction will soon continue on the controversial sewage pumping station planned for Cedar Island Road.
At a special council meeting this morning, city councillors, with virtually no debate, agreed to spend an extra $1.645 million in what's called a 'change order' to jump-start "construction activities related to the Centennial Drive Phase 1 reconstruction project."
The change order was authorized as a result of legal negotiations between the city and its contractor, John Bravakis Enterprises Inc. (JBE).
It will pave the way to complete the remaining portions of the contract for the first phase of what is a multi-year project.
"The change order for the contract is subject to execution by both parties, which is anticipated to be completed within the next week," notes a news release from the municipality.
“We are pleased that through negotiations we have reached a resolution that is anticipated to result in construction activities beginning again shortly," Mayor Steve Clarke said in the release.
"While there will be additional expenses to get this done, the city’s negotiations were focused on the successful completion of the project and careful cost mitigation,” said Clarke.
“We appreciate the community’s patience during negotiations, especially those within the vicinity of the project area. We recognize this has been a frustrating situation for all parties involved and we look forward to having the change order for the contract solidified and moving the project forward.”
The location of the sewage pumping station has been beset by controversy. When the city was seeking a location for the new pumping station many area residents — especially those who live in the Elgin Bay condominium — pleaded with the city not to locate it there.
Since construction began, the project has had several speed bumps and has started and stopped more than once — much to the chagrin of nearby neighbours.
On July 30, Cedar Island Road resident Tom O’Connell expressed frustration with the site’s consistently running diesel generators, and a temporary all-way stop he views as unsafe.
“That whole area has been torn up for more than a year,” he lamented. “We're in the middle of construction season … and I see nothing happening at this pumping station, and it's sitting there all summer long. It will be great when it's done, but the process right now is a nightmare.”
The first phase of the Centennial Drive project includes the construction of the Cedar Island Road sanitary sewage pump station and Elgin Street reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road.
The project is one of a series of construction projects meant to improve the infrastructure and revitalize the downtown waterfront area, notes the city's media release.
Construction activities were limited "as a result of challenges with contract interpretation and implementation earlier this year," says the media release.
"Negotiations took place over the past several months in order to ensure a viable solution that results in the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars," the release notes.
According to the release, the approved additional funding will be allocated from reserves and "does not impact the 2022 budget or tax levy."
It is anticipated that once the change order for the contract is executed by both parties, JBE will remobilize its workforce and be onsite within a week, says the city's release.
"When JBE remobilizes, residents can expect to see a hub of activity on site," notes the release.
The revised construction schedule anticipates that the installation of the new sanitary sewer beneath The Esplanade will occur over the winter and spring of 2022/2023, and that the new Cedar Island Road pump station will be complete in the fall of 2023.
Following the completion and commissioning of the new sanitary sewage pump station, the final paving of Elgin Street, The Esplanade, and the affected portion of Cedar Island Road are expected to be completed in the spring of 2024.
“While this is an extended timeline and longer than was originally anticipated, it is important that the project is done right. The new timeline will allow JBE to complete the work most efficiently while also allowing the City to responsibly balance the budget requirements of the project,” said Ian Sugden, General Manager of Development Services and Engineering.
For further details on next steps and the anticipated construction schedule, please visit orillia.ca/centennial.
-- With files from Greg McGrath-Goudie
