As Phase 1 of Point Edward’s mega- infrastructure job appears to be nearing completion, the village has terminated its $6-million contract with McNally Excavating Ltd.amid 16 new orders issued to the contractor by the Ministry of Labour.
“We are investigating our options with various other contractors,” said Mayor Bev Hand Monday. “The decision has been made that we are going a different route.”
No reason for the termination was provided in a village-issued press release and Hand said no reason will be made public because of “potential future litigation.”
The Ministry of Labour – which shut down the job for almost a week in June due to traffic safety concerns – was at the construction site on Lite and St. Clair streets on Friday when the village made the decision to end its contract with McNally.
Today (Tuesday) the Ministry of Labour confirmed to The Journal that ministry officials have attended the construction project eight times since June 12 and issued an additional 16 orders to McNally Excavating Ltd.
An investigation is ongoing and no further information can be provided at this time, a spokesman said.
Phase 1 started in early May and involves new infrastructure, roadwork and sidewalks along Lite Street from Front to Bridge Street, which is opposite Ironworks Gym. The first phase is already about a month behind schedule and has disrupted traffic entering a significant number of Point Edward businesses along that stretch.
Three other phases planned along St. Clair to Michigan Avenue haven’t been started but are still scheduled for this summer, said Hand.
“We’re hoping to be able to do it all.”
In searching for a new contractor to resume the work, the project won’t need to go to tender again, she said.
“The Village of Point Edward recognizes the importance of completing Phase 1 of the St. Clair and Lite Street reconstruction project in a timely and responsible manner,” the press release says. “Through their project manager at MIG Engineering, the village will endeavour to take all steps possible to complete Phase 1 of the project as quickly and efficiently as possible.”