COPE Construction was on the job last week at Point Edward’s stalled road reconstruction to ensure the site was completely safe after contractor McNally Excavating was fired July 5.
COPE is working on a “time and materials” basis and has not been contracted to finish the largest road reconstruction job in the village’s history, said Point Edward CAO Jim Burns.
“The village is still working towards a solution,” he said. “We’re hopeful we can move ahead this summer.”
Mayor Bev Hand said village council intends to complete all four phases of the project this year despite it being two months behind schedule.
In April, the first phase of the project closed access to Lite Street from Front Street, the main thoroughfare serving a busy commercial area that includes Sitara Indian Cuisine, Sarnia Produce, Point Brewing Company, Ironworks gym, the LCBO, Davey Jones Meats, Red & Ko., the Flakery Bakery and numerous others.
Phase 1 was supposed to be completed in May but road blocks are still up that stop access from Front Street. However, it’s possible to access all businesses via detours set up along secondary roads adjacent to Front Street. The entire length of Phase 1 from Lite Street to Bridge Street is now covered in gravel and can be navigated. Parking for Ironworks gym is in the Fabbri Tile lot on Helena Street.
Despite the detours, area business owners have reported that sales plummeted 25% to 50% once roadwork began and continue to be down.
McNally Excavating Ltd., based out of Inwood in Lambton County, was originally contracted for $6 million to complete all four phases that would see Lite Street and St. Clair Street rebuilt from Front to Michigan Avenue.
Problems cropped up early with complaints of a lack of communication, water main and gas breaks, and a Ministry of Labour stop-work order in mid-June that lasted a week.
On July 5, the village announced it terminated its contract with McNally and construction came to a complete standstill. Three weeks later, the only crew onsite has been Sarnia-based COPE Construction hired to improve signage, erect more fencing and take other measures in the interest of safety, said Hand.
“We are working on a plan to move forward with Phase 1 to get it done as soon as details can be worked out,” she said. Officials won’t comment on why McNally was terminated or when a new contactor might be awarded the job.
MIG Engineering continues to be the project manager.
Burns said McNally Excavating submitted the lowest bid of four that were evaluated for the job originally. As is generally the norm for municipalities, the contract was awarded to the lowest bidder.
McNally was about $300,000 less than the next lowest, Burns confirmed.
“It’s government practice to give contracts to the lowest bidder,” he said. “If (a municipality) awards a contract to a higher bidder, there’d have to be a really good reason or it opens (the municipality) to potential litigation.”
Burns said this experience with McNally has prompted the village to review its tender process and how it evaluates bids and awards contracts.
He said it’s possible a new contract will be awarded for Lite and St. Clair streets as early as next week.
“Local businesses have been very fair to us,” Burns added. “We share their concerns and look forward to moving ahead with the work.”