MINTO – The Town of Minto has awarded a contract to construct a new pedestrian crossover at Elora Street South and Young Street in Harriston to a Cambridge firm.
The contract was awarded at the May 17 meeting to TM3 Inc. for the tendered price of $286,311. The company was the sole bidder for the project.
Council also approved a motion to revise the town’s 2022 capital budget by $148,000 to cover additional work on sidewalks and stormwater control in the surrounding area, with funds to be drawn from reserves.
Roads and drainage manager Mike McIsaac explained in a report that replacement of substandard sidewalk on the south side of Young Street to Queen Street South and a new sidewalk on the east side of Queen Street South to the public pool were added to the project.
The additions, he stated, will “enhance pedestrian safety from the pedestrian crossover to the various town amenities, including the pool, playground, ball diamond, arena, and fairgrounds.”
The project was initially budgeted for about $175,000, however the tender came in at a higher price.
“The costing associated with the installation of the pedestrian crossover is on par as originally estimated and the inflated costs appear to be associated to the required sidewalk and storm works,” McIsaac noted in the report.
Councillor Dave Turton asked about the timing of the project.
“I believe TM3 is very anxious to get going on it. I would hope that they could have a completion of in around July, early August,” said McIsaac.
“I can’t foresee it being completed sooner than that unfortunately. But hopefully we can get some decent use within this summer season.”
Turton also asked if detours would be required during construction.
“There would be traffic control when they’re doing some of the curb work right on Elora Street, but there wouldn’t be a need for detouring for this project,” McIsacc replied.
“I think it’s a great project and adding the sidewalks is a big benefit,” said Mayor George Bridge.
“We know how busy it is going down to the arena going to the pool.
“In the summertime there’s lots of activity and then we know that the crosswalk is needed in that spot because otherwise you have to walk all the way up to the lights (at Arthur and Elora Streets) to have a safe crossing, especially on busy times when we have a lot of people coming through town.”
The new pedestrian crossover will be Minto’s first rainbow crosswalk.
At the March 1 meeting, council approved painting the crossing in Pride colours in recognition of the LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC communities.
Funds for the estimated $7,000 for specialized painting will be raised by the Minto Pride committee.
