Guelph-Eramosa council has approved almost a quarter million dollars in public works contracts.
On April 21, council approved bids for street sweeping, maintenance gravel, and dust suppression, which totalled $247,752.
Street sweeping
Based on 150 hours of sweeping and 20 hours of flusher, the street sweeping contract was awarded to Cox Construction for $16,768. The only other bid received was from Guelph Power Sweeping for $22,177. The Cox Construction quote is within the budgeted amount for that work, Public Works Manager Ken Gagnon said.
Gravel
Just one bid was received for the application of 16,300 tonnes of maintenance gravel – from Cox Construction for $171,118. The gravel will be applied to a total of about 11km of roads, including sections of 4th Line, 6th Line, Jones Baseline, Schaefer Road, and 8th Line East.
The public works department had budgeted $156,000 for maintenance gravel, Gagnon said.
But he told council that by “adjusting application rates” and going with a four-inch depth in some areas as opposed to six, the public works department will be able to ensure adequate application while also meeting budgetary constraints.
Dust suppression
Da-Lee was awarded the dust suppression contract for 200 tonnes of 355 liquid calcium chloride, at a price of $59,866. The other quote received was from Miller Paving Limited, for the equivalent amount.
The Da-Lee bid exceeds the budget for 2008 dust suppression by $13,452 but Gagnon said he is confident “through careful monitoring of application rates” his department will be able to meet the budgeted amount of $45,000. The department was successful with the same approach in 2007.
When asked why he prefers calcium chloride over magnesium chloride, Gagnon said while there are arguments on both sides, he is not convinced magnesium chloride does not “destroy” bridges.
