GENERAL COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Stan Bertoia, P. Eng., General Manager, Construction and Utilities
	PREPARED BY:	Stan Lau, P. Eng., Senior Project Manager
	DATE OF MEETING:	February 14, 2005
	SUBJECT:	18^th Avenue Bridge Replacement- Status Update

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “18^th Avenue Bridge Replacement – Status Update” be received;

That the Operations and Asset Management Department be authorized to proceed with construction of the 18^th Avenue Bridge Replacement Project in 2005;

That Totten Sims Hubicki Associates be retained for finalizing detail design, preparation of tender documents and provision of contract administration at an estimated amount of $41,500 plus GST and the tendering process be waived in accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-431, Section II-7(1c).

And that this project be funded from the 2002 Capital Budget, Account No. 65-5350-4872-005 and from the 2005 Capital Budget, Account No. 58-6150-6581-005.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an up-date on the 18^th Avenue Bridge Replacement Project and request authorization to proceed with construction of the project in 2005.

BACKGROUND:

Class Environmental Assessment and Public Consultation

This bridge is located on 18^th Avenue between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road and over the Bruce Creek. It is a single lane bridge serving a two-lane rural roadway. Due to its poor structural condition and substandard width, the need for a complete replacement was identified by Technical Services Department in 1999. Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) was retained by the Town in May 1999 for engineering design. However, after completion of some preliminary works, the project was put on hold due to objections from some of the local residents. In July 2001, Council approved retaining TSH to complete the design in accordance with Schedule B of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA).

As required by the Class EA, a Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on June 19, 2002 at the Victoria Square Community Centre. 11 persons attended the PIC. Their major concerns were related to the safety of pedestrians and the volume and speed of the traffic. They also prefer to have the bridge repaired at its existing width instead of its replacement to two lanes.

As a result of the PIC, an in depth bridge condition survey was carried out and a Life Cycle Cost Analysis conducted to compare the cost/benefit of bridge repairs vs bridge replacement.

Posting of Project File

A Project File was completed and posted on October 19, 2004 for the 30-day review by the public in accordance with the requirements of the Class EA. In addition to newspaper advertisement, all persons attended the June 19, 2002 PIC were notified of the filing of the Project File by hand delivered mail. The public review period expired on November 17, 2004. The Town did not receive any comments or requests for bump-up from the public. Therefore, the bridge replacement work can now proceed in according with the Class EA requirements.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

2005 Capital Budget

This project is included in the pre-approved 2005 Capital Budget. It is recommended that the work be tendered as soon as possible to take advantage of potential better prices of early tender.

Retaining of Consultant

Totten Sims Hubicki Associates (TSH) has been involved from the start of the project and has completed the final design. They have submitted a proposal for the provision of engineering services including finalizing detail drawings, obtaining TRCA approval, preparation of tender document, provide field inspection and contract administration. Total estimated cost for these services is $41,500 excluding GST. This is equivalent to approximately 8% of the estimated construction cost ($535,000) and is considered reasonable for this nature and size of the project.

It is recommended that TSH be retained for this project at an estimated cost of $41,500 plus GST and the tendering process be waived in accordance with Purchasing By-Law 2004-431, Section II-7(1c), authorize the Treasurer, the Purchasing Manager and the appropriate Director to negotiate a contract “When the extension of an existing contract would prove more cost effective or beneficial”.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Funding of this project is from the remaining 2002 Capital Budget for Bridges and Culverts Rehabilitation Program, Account No. 65-5350-4872-005 and from the 2005 Capital Budget for Bridges and Culverts Improvement Program, Account No. 58-6150-6581-005.

ATTACHMENT:

Appendix A: Location Map

___________________________________

Stan Bertoia, P. Eng.,

General Manager, Construction & Utilities

Peter Loukes, P. Eng., Director of Operations and Asset Management

Jim Sales Commissioner of Community Services and Fire

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