ELORA – Improvements are on the horizon for the intersection at Beatty Line and Millage Lane in Fergus.
Council entered into an agreement with the Sorbara Group of Companies at the Centre Wellington committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 21 for a service financing agreement for external works. It was later ratified at the Oct. 28 council meeting.
Improvements
The improvements at the Beatty Line and Millage Lane intersection will include:
– improvements to intersection layouts to accommodate new pedestrian signals and turning lanes;
– new pedestrian signals that will eventually become a fully signalized intersection;
– new storm sewers, curbs and gutters;
– 2.5-metre multi-use pathway on the west side of Beatty Line that will connect with the Elora Cataract Trail in the south; and
– wider culvert at Nichol drain number one.
“The developer has provided us with a signed copy of the agreement,” managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker said.
“Securities are in place as well.
“In terms of next steps the plan is to tender this project in January and have it ready for work … as soon as the construction season starts.”
The township has received approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for the storm sewers and Grand River Conservation Authority approval is pending.
“I know that having the pedestrian walkway, councillor Foster and myself, we’ve had a lot of complaints about speeding down the Beatty Line so having that pedestrian controlled walkway is going to be significant value to the residents there,” Mayor Kelly Linton said.
“So that’s a positive thing.”
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked why this work was not completed at the same time as the work at Beatty Line and Colbourne Street.
“Is there any thought about doing all that work at once instead of doing a little piece and then having to rip it up a little later and do the second piece?” he asked.
Baker explained that as part of the 2020 capital projects staff will look at that intersection but staff’s position is that it will be completed during phase three of the Storybrook subdivision.
“That design will mesh seamlessly with what we’re building today so there’s … no waste,” Baker said.
“Everything that we construct as part of this project will be used, incorporated and we’ll incorporate it in a future basis.”
Councillor Ian MacRae asked whether the township would be reimbursed for funds spent on preparing bid documents and soliciting bids.
“This project is 100 per cent developer funded,” Baker said.
“All the costs incurred to date, all future costs are 100% paid by the developer.”
The total estimated cost is $938,052; however tendering, contract administration, inspection costs and post-construction costs will be billed to Sorbara separately.
