INNISFAIL - The town has approved a Red Deer County contractor for the million-dollar reconstruction job for 45th Avenue.
At council's regular meeting on April 11, a $1,246,685.50 bid from Carbon Earthworks Ltd. was chosen for the reconstruction of underground infrastructure and surface improvements along 45th Avenue, from 50th Street to 46th Street. The job also includes the culvert upgrade on 42nd Avenue.
Council was reminded that it earlier approved a budget of $2,003,107 for the project.
An administration report before council said due to the complexity of the project, as well as it being in a high-profile area, a pre-qualification of contractors was completed prior to sending out the tender. Council was told 17 proposals were received and evaluated. From the 17 that were reviewed, the tender was sent out to eight contractors. The tender for the project was closed on March 21. Seven bids were submitted with a price variance from $1,246,685.50 to $2,011,292.
The report to council said the bid from Carbon Earthworks Ltd., the lowest of the seven submitted bids, was chosen, noting the company based in Red Deer County had several years of local experience working in the area of reconstruction and subdivision construction. The report to council also noted the company had three strong references for past similar type projects.
Rod Fraser, the town's director of operational services, said it's hoped the project will start in early July and be completed by late summer.
This project is being funded through a provincial Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI) grant.
With the town accepting a bid far below its budgeted $2 million, it creates a savings opportunity for future projects, said Fraser.
"Definitely we are going to be under, so with the MSI funding we will just attribute it to the next project on the list, which likely won't happen this year but in 2020," he said.
He told council that residents and businesses in the 45th Avenue area have been notified through telephone calls and letters over the past month, as well as an open house at town hall last week. He said the town hopes to have a schedule for the project posted on its website as soon as it becomes available.
