A Shuswap company was awarded the contract to undertake upcoming infrastructure work planned for Salmon Arm’s downtown.
At its Feb. 12 meeting, city council approved the award of a Ross Street storm extension project to D Webb Contracting Ltd. for $231,838 plus taxes. This was the lowest of three quotes, with the other two coming in at over $343,000.
City engineering and public works director Rob Niewenhuizen explained the project involved two items. One is a storm sewer upgrade at Ross street.
“That is actually to upgrade a smaller section of stormwater pipe which is connected now to the larger pipe that was put in with the Ross Street underpass, so essentially resolving a bottle neck in our system,” said Niewenhuizen. The other item, he said, is an upgrade to a sanitary sewer line that runs from the intersection of Hudson Avenue and Ross.
The design work for the project was completed earlier this year to permit construction in February during low stormwater flow periods.
“We’re hoping to get this all completed by March 15 in order to alleviate a lot of stress in the downtown core, and also to allow us to pave those sections, including the Ross Street parking lot,” said Niewenhuizen, adding part of the storm work is in the parking lot.
Asked if water might be shut off during the work, Niewenhuizen said the project doesn’t affect the water system.
“As far as sanitary connections, there should not be any interruptions other than to the building at 310, at the corner of Ross and Hudson,” said Niewenhuizen.
Mayor Alan Harrison said it was great to receive local bids, “and nice that the low bid is also from a local contracting company.”
Later in the meeting, Harrison noted he and staff had already spoken with business owner Ed Parent, the writer of a letter in the correspondence section of the agenda, responding to concerns raised around the impact the work and related road closures would have on the downtown.
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