A major project to replace a portion of busy Woodward Avenue with new street and sidewalk was approved by Blind River council despite an almost $144,200 increase in what was originally budgeted for the job.
The decision was made at a special, virtual council meeting Monday afternoon.
The stretch includes 755 meters of road being resurfaced and 255 meters of sidewalk replacement, according to Mark Bender director of public works. Bender said the work will also include cleaning and replacement of culverts.
Treasurer Sue Dent said the additional $144,200 will come from $211,000 in federal gas tax money the town received this year.
Councillor Betty Ann Dunbar asked whether the sidewalk work is up from what was originally budgeted following a report on the work by Tulloch Engineering. The additional $144,200 cost is needed, Bender said, because of additional work to insulate the sidewalk from frost heaving during the winter months.
“There is a little bit more involved in this stretch of sidewalk given the ground conditions. It’s a soft area lots of movement with the frost,” Bender said, adding there would be additional depth and Styrofoam in the base needed to avoid heaving due to frost. “That’s a real problem area and identified as a concern.”
“There is quite more involved than what we were hoping,” he said.
Bender said the bid has a $30,000 contingency component in included that may not be needed depending on the extent of work involved.
Councillor Steven Wells said the work would improve the safety and appearance of what is currently there.
“That is a busy stretch of roadway in the town. It would be a good idea for people who live beside the sidewalk to have that work done,” Coun. Wells added.
In its original consideration, council had acknowledged that work was needed to improve the street and sidewalk.
The total cost for the work is almost $770,900 including HST.
Bender said the entire work will take about three weeks to complete and will be done this year.
Council approved the cost increase in the work and moving ahead with the project.