Overpass

A big surprise for North Bay City Council this week, as far as the Lakeshore Drive overpass project is concerned.

Chair of Engineering and Works Councillor Tanya Vrebosch says all the tenders for the project came in way above what they were expecting.

She says they had 10 bidders and the lowest came in at $6.9-Million.

The total, including design, construction, inspection and other costs it works out to $7.6-million, which is close to $2-million more than the consultant was saying.

As for how the city is going to pay for it, $1.4-million will come from next year’s Capital Budget and close to half a million from the completed general capital projects reserve.

Vrebosch says council was disappointed with the consultants estimate, considering what the lowest bidder is offerrng.

Meantime, she says the project is being done over two summers with the major construction headache next year.

Vrebosch says only work on the underside of the bridge will take place this year while surface work, including the deck replacement will now take place in 2017.