The construction schedule will be longer for a major bridge rehabilitation project in La Nation, and the cost of the project will be higher than originally anticipated.
On April 4, Derek Simms and Christine Shillinglaw, of engineering firm McIntosh Perry, told La Nation Council that due to the extremely poor condition of the Touchette Bridge on Route 650, the rehabilitation cost will be approximately $1,023,400 more than the original projected cost of $2.5 million. The federal and provincial governments are already providing $2.1 million for the project.
The original scope of the project was to replace the deck, stringers, floor beams, and bottom bracing. However, after additional inspection, one of the abutments requires refacing and anchoring, because it has shifted, and an expansion joint also needs to be replaced.
“Right now, the bridge is almost holding the abutments up,” Simms told council.
Originally, the tendering process for the bridge rehabilitation was scheduled for June to December of 2022. However, Simms and Shillinglaw offered alternatives to mitigate disruption to farm traffic and to possibly secure more competitive bids at lower rates from contractors. The second option was to delay the project to April to December of 2023. Council instead chose the third option, which will extend the construction schedule from June 2022 to June 2023. The third option means that the bridge will be closed for an entire year.
“Is it guaranteed to be finished by December 2023?” Mayor François St-Amour asked.
Simms said sometimes work schedules are not even met when there are shorter time periods for projects. such as the one originally planned for the Touchette Bridge.
“What would a new bridge cost versus we’ll go through this at $3 million and still have an old bridge?” Councillor Francis Brière asked.
“It would probably cost at least double,” Shillinglaw responded.
“This is a major rehab on this bridge. You should get 25 or 30 plus years out of this rehab,” she added.
Councillor Alain Mainville asked what the lifespan would be for a completely new bridge. Shillinglaw said it would be approximately 75 years.
Brière asked if additional federal or provincial grant money is available. Chief Administrative Officer Josée Brizard said she inquired, and no additional funds are possible.
Shillinglaw said the June-to-June schedule offers the most likelihood for competitive pricing with contractors, but the downside is that the road would be closed for a full year.
“We’ve been out there quite a few times and it’s concerning just how fast the bridge is deteriorating,” Simms commented.
“You cannot remove that deck until you anchor the abutment,” St-Amour noted.
Councillor Danik Forgues said he supports June-to-June option.
St-Amour said the firm closure schedule will benefit farmers who have crop lands on either side of the South Nation River.
“If they know well ahead, they can plant,” he said.
“I agree, it gives the contractors more time,” Councillor Marie-Noëlle Lanthier commented.
“I’m finally glad we’ve got a certain plan,” St-Amour said.
The motion to select the June 2022 to June 2023 construction schedule for the rehabilitation of the Touchette Bridge was moved by Forgues and seconded by Lanthier.
