Do we patch it for $500,000 … Or should we do it right?
— City Manager Lonnie Kaal
Yorkton Council has approved a major expenditure in road improvements.
At its regular meeting July 13, Yorkton Council took the unusual step of discussing a near $6.5 million expenditure in-camera, out of the view of both the public and media.
It was during the in-camera session Council decided to extend the Acadia Paving Ltd. contract to complete roadway improvements on Dracup Avenue North ($2,184,000), a round-about at the Dracup/Darlington intersection ($966,000) and Dracup Avenue South ($1,752,400) for a total cost of $4,902,400.
Acadia had earlier been awarded the contract on the work being done on Highway #10 in front of the Parkland Mall and Mayhew.
Council also authorized a budget for underground infrastructure work for Dracup Avenue North ($2,212,500) and Dracup Avenue South ($4,225,000) for a total of $6,437,500. Work is to commence immediately on Dracup Avenue North, and tenders to be brought back to Council for Dracup Avenue South.
City Manager Lonnie Kaal called the process in this case was “untypical”, noting generally budget items are discussed in strategic planning sessions, not in an in-camera session. However there was some urgency with this decision, if it were to proceed this year, she said.
The work was not expected to be as major as it has turned out to be, said Kaal.
“The initial scope was just to patch it, and leave the four-way stop as it is,” she said.
However, Kaal said when issues arose with underground infrastructure Council decided to take another look.
“Do we patch it for $500,000 … Or should we do it right?” she questioned, noting a concrete top should last 40 or 50-years.
As for funding for the project it is part of the 2016 budget, said Kaal.
“Funds will need to be borrowed,” she added.
Work on preparing the site will be undertaken by City crews immediately. It is expected to take about six-weeks for their work, and then Acadia can move in to do the round-about and the concrete surfacing.
Kaal said if the weather cooperates the work should be dome this year, but if it turns bad, the concrete surfacing could be deferred to 2016.
