District of Muskoka authorize staff to amend the construction budget for Muskoka Road 169
The District of Muskoka authorized staff to amend the 2024 construction budget if needed for Muskoka Road 169 in Gravenhurst, in the March 18, 2023, Council meeting.
According to a report by Director of Engineering and Transportation, Mark Misko, the multi-phased reconstruction project will include water, sewer, storm water, and roadway systems, in a section covering 1.7 kilometers.
It will run east to west between Steamship Bay Road/North Muldrew Lake Road, and Brock Street/Gull Lake Park.
The first phase of the three phased project will begin at Steamship Bay Road.
The three-year project will include work combined between the District and Town of Gravenhurst.
In December 2023 the District held a communication session for the community to create awareness about the timeline and scope of the project to replace the old infrastructure.
Staff have requested that Council approve authorization to amend the budget over the allotted amount if necessary.
According to the report, “Based on the engineering estimate completed for the project, staff are anticipating that the lowest compliant bid may exceed the currently approved Tax and Rate supported capital budget allocated to this work by more than $100,000.”
The report adds that there are sufficient funds in this year’s budget for the first two phases of the project, however, the third phase will require another request in the upcoming annual capital budget process.
Misko said, “The report presented today sought approval to award the upcoming Bay and Beyond contract at the April Engineering and Public Works (EPW) Committee (including authority to amend the budgets as/if needed).”
He added that the goal of the request “was to work within our existing policy and avoid the 30-day ratification ‘wait time’ and allow us to better maintain project timelines for construction.”
“The contract itself is currently out for tender with invited bids coming in towards the end of this month from pre-qualified contractors. Budget amendments and contract award will be considered at the April EPW meeting when bids have been received,” advised Misko.
The report indicates that the project start date is scheduled for May 20th and construction is set to begin on June 3rd, and detours will be set up during construction.
A web page has been set up for the project at Engage Muskoka, under Bay and Beyond.
