The County of Stettler has awarded one bridge culvert replacement project near Gadsby and plans to complete two others internally, following a closed-door discussion about the tendering process.
Before the debate on Aug. 13, councilors voted 5–2 to move the item into an in-camera session, citing a letter of concern from Road to Rail Construction Group (RTRC) included in the agenda package.
Once the in-camera session returned to a public meeting, CAO Yvette Cassidy told council the projects have been difficult to complete, with bids twice coming in over budget.
She explained the county first attempted to tender the three bridge files together, before dividing them earlier this year.
Cassidy said a staff error in a bid summary sent to RTRC mistakenly suggested North Star Trucking of Stettler had submitted a bid for bridge file 1778 located near Nevis.
In fact, RTRC was the low bidder, but its submission still exceeded the county’s budget and was not awarded. Cassidy said the county will respond directly to RTRC & apologize for the error.
Council then voted to award the contract for bridge file 76970 at Gadsby to North Star Trucking Ltd. for $118,650, excluding GST.
Bids for bridge files 1778 & 1856 were rejected as they exceeded the county’s budget, and administration was directed to restructure the work using county crews.
The work is funded 75 per cent through the province’s Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program. (STIP)
The culvert replacement for bridge file 1856 at the Red Willow Creek north of Stettler must be completed by the year, unless an extension is requested by the county.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
