Two major roadwork projects in Mount Forest are going to get started later this summer.
On June 25 council awarded the contracts for the King and Elgin Streets and Queen Street (Highway 89) projects to Lavis Contracting.
Both projects came in over budget, but in his report, director of operations Brent Lauber said the overage can be funded through reserves.
King and Elgin streets
The reconstruction of King Street West and Elgin Street South in Mount Forest will provide upgraded sidewalks, curbs, gutters and roadway, as well as sanitary, water and stormwater services.
The township received two bids:
- – Steed and Evans at $2,156,000; and
- – Lavis Contracting at $1,768,596.
The budget for the project was about $1.6 million.
The township is planning a public meeting for affected residents this summer and construction is expected to start in August.
“We are appreciative of the patience of the neighbours who are impacted by this and the challenges with living on a road under construction, but I’m sure they all recognize the value of having a reconstructed road when it’s all done,” said Mayor Andy Lennox.
Queen Street
The Queen Street (Highway 89), Mount Forest project includes resurfacing of the road from Dublin Street to west of Cork Street.
It will extend curbs from west of Cork Street to west of Durham Street.
Also included in this project is asphalt resurfacing from west of Durham to west of Sligo Road, new storm sewers, improvements to the Queen and Sligo intersection, and traffic and ditch maintenance.
The township received two bids:
- – Steed and Evans at $1,911,847; and
- – Lavis Contracting at $1,391,708.
The budget for the project was $1.29 million and included provincial Connecting Link funding of $1.16 million.
The resurfacing is also expected to begin in August.
“It’s going to be one heck of a mess over there,” said councillor Dan Yake.
Lauber said Lavis Contracting is new to the township, but “we expect a very clean, organized, on schedule, on budget initiative.”
Council awarded both contracts to Lavis Contracting for a total of $3,160,304.
