Intersection reconstruction approved

With some funding coming from the province the City of Yorkton will undertake a resurfacing of the Highway #9 and #10 intersection.

But the exact extent of the work to be undertaken was a matter of much debate at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council held last Tuesday, Aug. 8 with the usual Monday being a holiday.

The project was on the agenda because the provincial Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure came forward with dollars, explained René Richard, Director of Engineering & Asset Management, with the City.

In August 2016, the Ministry contacted the City of Yorkton regarding the possibility of shared funding of an Urban Highway project in the City, he told Council.

The proposal was for a project budget of up to $950,000 total cost with 72.5 per cent ($688,750 to be paid by the Ministry if the City committed the remaining 27.5 per cent ($261,250).

“The project selected was the replacement of the asphalt surface with a 200 mm thick concrete surface at the intersection of Highway 9 and Highway 10 (Broadway). This portion of the highway was last upgraded in 2006 using more expensive polymer modified asphalt. The intent was to extend the longevity of typical asphalt and yet asphalt in that area has only lasted eleven (11) years. Consequently we did not tender for asphalt and have chosen to use concrete due to rutting caused by heavy vehicles starting and stopping. Concrete is preferred on major highway intersections,” said Richard.

Council approved the project during the 2017 budget deliberations, and administration began working with a consultant on preliminary design for the project, said Richard.

“However, shortly thereafter, the project was temporarily put on hold by the Ministry until the provincial budget had been announced in April 2017,” he said.

Richard said the reallocation of provincial funding kick-started the project again.

“Upon hearing the project was once again approved, Administration began working with the consultant to complete design, geotechnical reports and tender documents. The tender was posted on Sask Tenders on July 14, and closed on July 28. Only one bid was received from Acadia Paving Ltd. with a total construction cost of $1,436,675.22 (taxes included),” said Richard.

The tender numbers were obviously higher than originally anticipated.

“Since our agreement with the Ministry is to a maximum project cost of $950,000, and costs for site supervision, concrete testing, traffic accommodation, etc. are in addition to the construction costs, we cannot award the contract as tendered without additional funding approval or without significantly reducing the scope of the project,” said Richard.

Richard did suggest there were funds the City could reallocate to the higher cost project.

“It is estimated that the Smith Street Roadway Improvements project currently underway will be approximately $500,000 under budget due to a scope change in the project. The replacement of storm sewer along Smith Street was originally budgeted for, but it has since been determined that the pipe condition is better than expected and the work is not required,” he noted.

“Also, we have a Broadway Reconstruction Reserve (of $172,700) which can be depleted if necessary. Further Arterial Reserves have a balance of $189,000. These funds could be used to supplement the current budget for the Highway #9 and #10 intersection project.”

Administration put forward four options for Council to consider, from which two became the focus of debate.

Option one provided for a concrete roadway for the entire intersection as tendered.

The total estimated cost for this option including construction, consulting, site supervision, testing, contingency, etc. is $1,777,615.

“This option is the most desirable for Administration as it would complete the entire intersection,” said Richard.

The second option Council focused on doing a concrete roadway for the northbound, southbound, eastbound and westbound lanes only. This option does not include the ramps on and off Broadway Street on the west side of the intersection.

These ramps are not as deteriorated as the rest of the proposed project, said Richard.

The total estimated cost for this option including construction, consulting, site supervision, testing, contingency, etc. is $1,441,780.

“For Administration, this option is the second most desirable as it would replace the portions of roadway that are in urgent need of repair,” said Richard.

The option would reallocate Smith Street funds, but would not draw upon dollars in the Broadway Reconstruction Reserve and the Arterial Road Reserve, said Richard.

In general terms Richard said there would not be better value from tendering the project again.

“Another option would be to not award the tender at this time and retender in January. Administration feels there would be little benefit to this option. The tender was advertised on Sask Tenders with no other responses, and we are not aware of any other potential bidders. Also, Acadia Paving Ltd. has indicated their bid prices would be good for 2018, so they would likely submit the same bid next year,” said Richard.

Richard also suggested timing of the project might prove important.

“This project was deferred once due to the Saskatchewan Budget shortfall and we were pleased when the funding of $688,750 was approved thereafter. If the project does not proceed there may be some risk of losing the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure funding,” he said.

Council was quickly on-side in terms of proceeding with the project, but the exact scope was a matter of a lengthy debate.

Councillor Quinn Haider said while “it was great to hear we can get some provincial dollars,” he questioned the drawing of funds out of the Broadway Reconstruction Reserve and the Arterial Reserves.

City Manager Lonnie Kaal noted “reserves are for some future project,” and transferring reserves from one account to another project of the “same intent” was certainly within Council’s purview.

Haider then questioned if the intersection was of the highest priority in terms of road renewal?

“It’s not the worst shape in the city,” said Richard noting there are road sections that are in worse shape. But he added the intersection is certainly near the top of the list.

“This one has really gone down in the last year. It needs to be done.”

Coun. Randy Goulden questioned when the project would be undertaken?

Richard said the work would start this fall.

“It’s unlikely it will be finished this year,” he said, noting the work would be completed next spring.

Goulden said she wanted to see as little disruption to traffic flow in terms of accessing business as possible, adding that was why she supported the option to use reserves to do all the proposed work, including the turn lanes.

“I have concerns about not doing it all at once,” she said, adding if turn lanes are done later a major intersection is under construction twice. “…We need to get this done quickly.”

Mayor Bob Maloney also wanted the entire project undertaken.

“Go in and get the job done,” he said, adding when the intersection needs redone again in an estimated 30-years it would all have aged at the same rate for the Council of the day to address.

Coun. Aaron Kienle was initially not sure which option to support.

“There’s no question in my mind this intersection needs to be done,” he said, but added he could see merit in both options in terms of scope.

Coun.  Ken Chyz said by accepting the option that did not include redoing the turn lanes the intersection would be fixed “and we still save ourselves $300,000.”

In the end Council would opt to go with the option which will leave the turn lanes as they are, with Goulden and Maloney opposed.