Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project Update – October 2013

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee receives the report entitled “Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project Update October 2013”, dated October 2nd, 2013, from the Superintendent of Engineering, for information.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS: I concur with the recommendation.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE’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:

Work is continuing on the steel fabrication in the SureSpan plant. However, when reviewing the fabricator’s detailed shop drawings for the steelwork, the design consultant discovered that a design change to the trusses was required to strengthen the bridge in the event of a major earthquake. Staff is currently negotiating with the Contractor on the cost of this change, as well as a revised schedule to reflect the extra work involved in remedying this change. The latest schedule submitted by the Contractor has a partial opening of the bridge in late spring of 2014. Staff has been diligently negotiating with the Contractor to improve the schedule and will update Mayor and Council as soon as a firmer schedule is received.

Road approach works are on-schedule. On-site bridge works are slightly behind schedule due to pile drilling challenges; however this will not affect the overall schedule.

Total project completion may now be early-mid June; however, as stated above, the final schedule has not yet been confirmed as negotiations continue with the Contractor.

Construction Progress:

• Concrete work now complete in Pier 1 (south end) and coffer dam removed; pile installation completed and continuing work on footings and rebar installation for pier shafts in Pier 2; installation of piles almost complete in Pier 3;
• Pre-cast cantilever deck panels now complete and stockpiled in SureSpan plant;
• Work on 16 steel trusses in SureSpan plant continuing, including additional welding work required for the design change;
• South Approach: south abutment approach fill, as well as rip rap installation on east side now complete; excavation and backfilling, as well as installation of drain infrastructure and rock wall on east side has begun; installing BC Hydro ducting;
• North Approach: formwork and rebar installed for north abutment concrete; some curb work, sidewalk and retaining walls have been completed on west side; currently placing structural soils for centre median;
• Construction from Gorge Road intersection north to Cowper Street in Saanich has now been completed;
• Don Mann Excavating currently at 56% completion of original scope.

Environmental and Archaeological Management:

• Ongoing inspections taking place by municipalities’ Environmental Monitor (AESC) and the Contractor’s Environmental Monitor (Aquaparian); no major issues have been identified;
• DFO conducted site visit in mid-September to review construction to date and discuss schedule change (the further delay in schedule may result in in-water work being done outside of the allowed DFO winter window); request for extension of DFO Authorization has now been made by the Environmental Consultant; a draft of the riparian planting requirements for DFO compensation is currently underway;
• Liaison between Golder (archaeologists), staff and First Nations ongoing regarding artifacts found on-site and ceremony at end of project; Golder has indicated that there will likely be an increase in cost for analysis and conservation of on-site findings, as well as the cost of the final ceremonies. Staff expects an estimate of this in late October.

Traffic Management:

• Monitoring of the traffic signal timing at Tillicum Road and Craigflower Road intersection has been ongoing; no further complaints have been received;
• Gorge Road from Admirals Road to Tillicum Road continues to be closed for Saanich sewer system upgrades;
• Installation of lighting on the pedestrian walkway currently taking place.

Communications:

• Ongoing photo updates and videos to website;
• Staff currently working on updates to information on website;
• Staff working on strategy to mitigate the impact of the further delay in the bridge opening on businesses; signage installed to request support for local businesses;
• Staff continues to receive very few enquiries and complaints to date.

BUDGET IMPLICATIONS:

In September’s COW report, charges against the allocated contingency fund were noted as approximately $153,430 (the View Royal portion being $76,715, plus $20,000 for View Royal archaeological work to date, for a View Royal total of $96,715).

Currently, the following cost savings have been, or may be, realized:

• Approach slabs: There will be a change in design which will result in a small cost savings. Staff is still awaiting the amount of savings from the Contractor.
• Monetary incentive for early completion: $300,000 was allocated as an incentive for opening Admirals Road to traffic by December 1st, 2013. Since the road will not open by that date, this amount has been put towards contingencies.

Since the last staff COW report, the following cost overages have been, or may be, realized:

• Design Consultant Increase: Additional construction inspection services are required to provide complete structural, civil and electrical engineering Engineer of Record services at a cost of $83,710.
• Geotechnical Consultant Increase: Inspection services for pile installation and roadway and sidewalk sub-grades during construction are required by the geotechnical consultant at a cost of $30,000.

Therefore, charges against the allocated contingency fund are now at approximately $267,140 (the View Royal portion being $133,570, plus $20,000 for archaeological work to date, for a View Royal total of $153,570).

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 October 2013”, dated October 2nd, 2013, from the Superintendent of Engineering, for information.

SUBMITTED BY: Deb Becelaere, Superintendent of Engineering

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, ASCT, Director of Engineering