Town of Ponoka’s decision on constructing a replacement for the North Bridge is still waiting for an environmental approval.
Town administration had originally announced tenders for the road realignment needed as part of the bridge replacement, with the hopes that environmental approval would come soon after.
Tenders were submitted — albeit at $1.8 million higher than anticipated bringing the project to an estimated $5.3 million — with Border Paving being the favoured company for the job. But lack of approval from the provincial environmental body is hampering the process.
This left town council on Tuesday, May 26 during the regular bimonthly meeting with the options of either approving the road tender without having a tender for the bridge itself or to look at another solution.
Administration provided council with four possibilities:
• Postpone the project and retender next year
• Approve the Border Paving tender for the road realignment without bridge tenders
• Choose an alternate source of materials and re-engineer the project
• Choose not to do the project and become a one-bridge town
The biggest issue with waiting, according to Dave McPhee, director of operations and property services, is that the tender becomes null and void 60 days after it is submitted.
Although it was not in the four options, McPhee suggested the town wait for bridge construction approval so the town could tender both at the same time. He added Border Paving may be amenable to extending the approval deadline if the town wanted it.
Coun. Tim Falkiner asked about the viability of life in the bridge. McPhee presented council with a report he had received that same day from Bow Valley Bridge Services stating that portions of the bridge substructure are rotting.
Of the 40 caps and corbels, the company states that eight are rated low due to crushing and 20 are only slightly better off due to bulging. The recommendations are to keep the three-tonne load restriction and have the bridge inspected every six months.
McPhee suggested that if council waits and tenders both projects at once, bridge construction could go through the winter. “As long as they can get the piles and berms up, they can build the bridge through the winter because it’s precast concrete.”
Falkiner favoured holding off on the project for another year to see if money can be saved.
“We can’t know what the cost of the bridge is going to be. We’re just guessing,” said Falkiner referring to the estimated cost of $2.27 million for bridge replacement.
He made a motion to go with the first option but was the only one who voted in favour.
Coun. Teri Underhill suggested the bridge needs to be replaced due to safety and liability concerns.
She made the motion to retender both projects once environmental approval is given on bridge construction, which was approved by council.
The original bridge tender request for a decision presented to council at its April 28 meeting was also defeated.
McPhee added that as soon as environmental approval is given, the town will announce tenders for both projects.
Vance Walker, owner of property just east of the bridge reiterated his desire for the town to investigate his land for use during the road rehabilitation project during the public forum portion of the meeting.
Mayor Rick Bonnett thanked him for his opinion and suggested he prepare a proposal during the next tender phase.