Council reduces scope of project to save money

Design error caused councillors to re-think Jones Flat and Garnet Valley plan

SUMMERLAND — Following discovery of a design error, Summerland council opted to reduce the scope of the Jones Flat and Garnet Valley road water system separation and road-widening project to keep on budget.

Council on Monday approved a staff recommendation to reduce the road width from the proposed nine metres to 7.8 m in identified sections.

The 7.8 m sections will have 0.2-m gravel shoulders, 0.5-m bike lanes and 3.2-m vehicle lanes. These sections include areas where there is a steep bank on one side of the road. The recommendation also includes shortening the transition site to a 6.4-m wide road at the north end of the project by 200 m.

As the project progressed, an error in the detailed design drawings provided by WSP Canada Inc. in the quantities of materials required in specific sections of the project was discovered.

Even with the reduction in project scope the additional estimated cost of materials for 7.8 m wide road is between $502,000 and $620,000. The range is large because of incomplete information. WSP has agreed to contribute $250,000 toward the estimated cost increase. The project’s contingency allotment (approximately $320,000) and savings that will be realized from the reduced scope (approximately $45,000) should be sufficient to cover the balance, director of works and utilities Kris Johnson wrote in his memorandum to council.