CRAIGFLOWER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE MAY 2013

Public Works & Transportation Report

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Deb Becelaere, Superintendent of Engineering DATE: May 8th, 2013 MEETING DATE: May 14th, 2013 FILE NO.: 5350-09

CRAIGFLOWER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT UPDATE MAY 2013

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receives the report entitled “Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project Update May 2013”, dated May 8th, 2013, from the Superintendent of Engineering, for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To update the Committee on the current status of the Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project.

TIME CRITICAL:

Not applicable to this report.

BACKGROUND:

Not applicable to this report.

PROJECT INFORMATION:

Project Schedule:

The contractor has expressed concern to staff about the possibility that steel manufacturing and delivery may cause delays to the schedule. A firm schedule will not be available until the steel is manufactured, which the contractor has indicated should be in early June. Staff has started discussions on options to mitigate concerns of businesses if the schedule is delayed.

Construction Progress:

• Contractor nearing completion of the temporary work bridge across the waterway. Pile drilling underway for the final bent and the last set of piles will be installed by the end of this week;
• Rock fill installed at both abutments for crane access;
• Concrete deck on old bridge cut to prepare for demolition;
• Underground work started, and continuing, at the Gorge Road intersection north to Cowper Street in Saanich;
• Contaminated fill found on the View Royal end of the bridge. Containment area established and the fill trucked to a disposal site;
• Asphalt and existing sub-base removed from approach at north end of bridge;
• Abutment and section of railings removed from north end of bridge;
• Fire access lane and pedestrian path to Craigflower Manor constructed and irrigation system revised. Awaiting new custom gate, tree planting, landscaping and final cleanup;
• Don Mann Excavating currently at 8% completion of original scope.

Environmental and Archaeological Management:

• World Fisheries Trust continuing the relocation of the Olympia Oysters from the construction envelope as part of the DFO Authorization;
• Excavation on the View Royal end completed on west side of bridge. Golder monitored this work and no significant archaeological deposits were found;
• Contractor currently removing midden material from the north abutment area; midden material currently being trucked to a site in Saanich on Gorge Road West at Tillicum Road.

Traffic Management:

• Traffic signal timing monitored and tweaked numerous times at Tillicum Road and Craigflower Road intersection; traffic counts currently being conducted to optimize timing;
• Left turn signal installed at Island Highway/Craigflower Road and Admirals Road intersection for traffic travelling westbound on Craigflower Road to Admirals Road southbound as requested by businesses;
• All construction and prime contractor signage installed;
• Water traffic signage installed in waterway on both sides;
• Decision finalized for pedestrian and cyclist access across the bridge once existing bridge is demolished within the next couple of weeks. A cantilevered platform, with lighting, will be attached to the west side of the work bridge and will be used for the duration of construction. Work started on this cantilever this week. Approaches will be well-delineated at each end. Cyclists will be required to dismount over the crossing.

Communications:

• Final touches on designated project website by View Royal staff will be completed this week; progress photos and updates will be posted throughout project;
• All businesses contacted by staff requesting business information for website;
• Staff sending out notifications later this week with website link. Public interested in receiving ongoing updates can subscribe through the website;
• Staff has received very few enquiries and complaints to date.

Land Acquisition:

• Required land on Admirals Road for the bridge project was finalized and obtained in late 2012, land along Island Highway.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

To date, construction progress is within budget.

Although extra costs in the range of $25,000 have been incurred with contaminated fill on the View Royal end of the bridge, cost savings with the pedestrian crossing, changes in the approach slab design and future sale of the existing bridge stringers will more than compensate for that additional cost.

As mentioned in the April update to the Committee, costs associated with archaeological services, excavation and disposal of midden material and cultural artifacts occurring in each respective municipality will be funded 100% by that municipality. To date, the cost for View Royal is approximately $20,000. Monitoring is still required in the area under the existing roadway, however no deposits are anticipated.

The Mayor and staff recently met with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure representatives to discuss financial assistance for the project. MoTI has indicated that they will contact staff with a decision possibly in June after the election.

SUSTAINABILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable to this report.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Not applicable to this report.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receives the report entitled “Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project Update May 2013”, dated May 8th, 2013, from the Superintendent of Engineering, for information.

SUBMITTED BY: Deb Becelaere, Superintendent of Engineering

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, ASct, Director of Engineering