Modified culvert project in Clifford comes in under budget

MINTO – Council here got a pleasant surprise at its July 11 meeting when the tender for a culvert replacement project came in well under budget.

At the July 11 meeting, council awarded the contract for replacement of a culvert over Racoon Creek on Seip Lane North in Clifford to Roubos Farm Service Ltd. for $383,803.

The bid from the local contractor was the lowest of four tenders submitted for the project. The highest bid, of just over $466,000, was submitted by Van Driel Excavating of Clinton.

“The structure there is currently a concrete box structure,” explained roads and drainage manager Mike McIsaac.

"The original estimate was to replace like for like, which was going to create some issues with the three permanent residents there for access."

He added, “Working with the conservation authorities and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, we were actually able to relocate the structure to just upstream.

"And with the slight relocation or realignment on the structure, we were able to reduce significant costs.”

McIsaac noted the town had budgeted $700,000 for the project.

“So with these results, we're pretty happy,” he stated.

Council approved the tender award as recommended.