City council gave the green light Monday to a detailed design for the Ross Street Underpass estimated to cost $433,050 plus tax.
The design was awarded to RF Binnie & Associates Ltd., the same company working with the Ministry of Transportation on the preliminary design for the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway at the west end of town.
Rob Niewenhuizen, the city’s director of engineering, said the engineering services contract means the city will have a shelf-ready project with an accurate cost estimate when the underpass goes to tender. He also emphasized safety.
“Ultimately there will come a time when that crossing is deemed unsafe or closed. We will do our best to keep it open until we move forward with the underpass.”
Council voted unanimously to award the contract. Coun. Alan Harrison was absent.
Carl Bannister, the city’s chief administrative officer, reported that the city’s financial plan, in concert with the strategic plan, envisions construction in 2019 at a cost of $9 million. Along with grants and reserves, it would mean about $3 million in long-term debt, a figure that would not result in a tax increase if council doesn’t deviate from the financial plan and project costs don’t increase.
Coun. Chad Eliason termed the contract an important first step.
“It clears up a lot of the misconceptions put forward to the public.”
Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond said she supports the contract, but emphasized this is not the beginning of the conversation.
“This is where the rubber hits the road.”
Coun. Kevin Flynn said he is impressed with having no tax increase and supports the contract award.
“I think we have to do this to be ready for grants funding, and to move forward with this whenever the community decides.”
Coun. Ken Jamieson agreed it is unfortunately necessary for the city to spend money to get more money in the form of grants.
Coun. Tim Lavery stressed that any large project like this should trigger a referendum, not just be subject to an alternative approval process where 10 per cent of the population may petition against it.