$3.8M fix for Millbrook Dam begins next month

MILLBROOK -- Construction of the new Millbrook Dam starts in January at a new cost of about $3.8 million.

Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority (ORCA), which owns the dam, is replacing it because it’s been deemed unsafe.

At 200 years old, there have been concerns that a major rainfall could cause the dam to fail, ultimately flooding Millbrook’s downtown.

The original estimate for the project was tagged at $3.3 million.

The cost was to be split three ways between ORCA, the provincial government and the federal government.

Dan Marinigh, CAO of ORCA, said the new tally for the dam is about $450,000 more than when planning for the project started three years ago.

The additional costs arose from the completion of engineering and design work, tendering the job to a contractor, soil testing and creating a contingency for unexpected costs going forward.

Over the last two years, ORCA set aside $1.2 million towards the dam.

Last week, ORCA’s board approved $2.6 million in its 2018 budget for the dam, which includes the $2.2 million from both governments.

ORCA’s contribution will be raised through a special benefitting levy. The levy will be charged to member municipalities, which includes Peterborough.

Meanwhile, Facca, a southwestern Ontario-based company, has been hired to construct the dam.

Workers will be on site as of Jan. 2 to begin excavation and construct a bypass channel. That work is expected to wrap up at the end of February.

In April, Facca will return to pour the concrete for the new spillway, ending that job in July.

Afterwards, work will be done to strengthen the earth and berm. The entire project is to be finished by the fall.

ORCA is holding a public launch event for the reconstruction on Jan. 8. It’s happening at the Millbrook Community Centre at 10 a.m. People will be able to view the designs and ask questions.