Request for Decision – Early Transportation Project Commencements for 2026

REQUEST FOR DECISION – EARLY TRANSPORTATION PROJECT COMMENCEMENTS FOR 2026

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council pre-approve the following capital renewal projects for the 2026-2030 Financial Plan:

• Bridge Rehabilitation Project (C-184): carry forward remaining 2025 budget and move ahead a portion of planned 2027 work to 2026, establishing a 2026 budget of $225,000 to complete the Craigflower Bridge and Highland Bridge South repairs;
• Traffic Signal Renewal Project (C-186): carry forward remaining 2025 budget to increase the 2026 budget to $138,020 to complete the 2025 traffic signal renewals.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

Option #2: It is not recommended to defer decisions to 2026-2030 Financial Plan budget deliberations due to: (1) commitments already being in place for the traffic signal renewal project; (2) Long coordination times that could occur with the bridge repair projects (coordination of environmental approvals and neighbouring municipalities).

Option #3: Council can defer the Highland South Bridge Pile Cap repairs to 2027 (as originally scheduled in the 2025-2029 Financial Plan). However, given the revised and much lower opportunity cost to conduct the 2027 work, staff recommend including into the 2026 program for better protection of aquatic habitat while also reducing overall program construction costs.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to seek approval to continue proceeding with two important transportation asset replacement / renewal projects in early 2026: the Bridge Rehabilitation Project (Project C-184) and the Traffic Signal Renewal Program (Project C-186).

BACKGROUND:

Unforeseen circumstances have resulted in the two projects being incomplete in 2025:

The importance of continuing to work on these two projects, which require pre-approval ahead of the adoption of the 2026-2030 Financial Plan, is as follows:

Craigflower Bridge:

• The works are “shelf ready” and must be timed with the District of Saanich’s contribution of the repair (50%). The goal is to place the project to public bid in early 2026;
• The works are emergent: the most recent bridge inspection program indicated a need for this work to be repaired immediately.
• Financial Impacts: new information has caused a budget escalation from the original $50,000 to $120,000.

Highland South Bridge:

• The works are “shelf ready” and it is recommended to commence coordination and fisheries permitting works now so that all works can be completed within the short fisheries window (summer 2026)
• Financial Impacts:
  • New information (repair corroded structures) has caused an escalation from the 2025 program budget from the original $25,000 to $100,000
  • New information (pile cap repairs) has caused the 2027 program budget to be significantly reduced from $250,000 to $45,000
  • The total budget to repair the Highland South Bridge is $130,000 less than identified in the 2025-2029 Financial Plan.
  • Staff recommend conducting both repairs in 2026 due to the construction cost savings and the environmental benefits of repairing the bridge once instead of twice over a period of 3 years.

Traffic Signal Renewal Program:

• The works have been awarded but was not able to commence in 2025. Continuation of the project is necessary to fulfill contract obligations and the works would be completed in early 2026 as a result of project continuation.
• Financial impacts: no increase in costs and only budget carry forward is required.

ANALYSIS:

Impacts and implications can be summarized as follows:

Community Impact:

Bridges and traffic signals are important Town assets. Timely repairs and replacements are required for these assets to maintain road safety and financial sustainability.

Combining the works for the Highland South Bridge would better protect aquatic habitat by only needing to mobilize construction equipment and works once instead of twice.

Financial Implication:

Bridge Rehabilitation Project (C-184) – Staff recommendation for 2026 is to:

• Conduct the Craigflower Bridge expansion joint replacement and repairs project
• Conduct the Highland South Bridge repairs to corroded structures and pile caps
• Total 2026 budget request: $225,000

Traffic Signal Renewal Program (C-186) – Staff recommendation for 2026 is to:

• Carry forward $68,020 of remaining budget from 2025 to fulfill award obligations to complete the works.

All works are funded through the Capital Renewal Reserve. No issues are foreseen as the total program costs will be lower than initially budgeted in the 2025-2029 Financial Plan. See Attachment 1 of this report for a detailed budget breakdown.

Inter-governmental Relations Impact:

The Craigflower Bridge rehabilitation works requires coordination with the District of Saanich. Immediate coordination work with Saanich is vital so that the tender, award, and execution of the project can be done in a timely and cost effective manner.

The Highland South Bridge rehabilitation works requires provincial approval to work in or around streams. Immediate coordination work with the province is vital so that the lengthy permit approval process is completed by the time the fisheries window is open.

ALIGNMENT:

The recommended option aligns with the Town’s following core guiding documents as follows:

Strategic Plan: Strategic Priority D, Goal 1 - Financial Sustainability and Service Excellence: the works align with the Town’s Asset Management Program including the Sustainable Infrastructure Replacement Plan (“SIRP”). Following the SIRP ensures sustainable service delivery of which public safety is an important factor.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION GOAL:

The desired level of public participation for the recommended option is: [x] Inform [ ] Consult [ ] Involve [ ] Collaborate [ ] Empower [ ] N/A

TIME CRITICAL:

Time is of the essence so that staff can continue coordination and completing the work without delay.

CONCURRENCE:

REVIEWED BY:

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Budgeting Breakdown