‘Complex’ infrastructure project needs additional engineering services

The consulting firm handling a “complex” infrastructure project that involves installing underground pipes at different locations has requested that city hall change the project’s scope to ensure the initiative succeeds.

ISL Engineering and Land Services (ISL) asked the City of Moose Jaw’s engineering services department to adjust the project since additional engineering services are required for the Agri-Food Industrial Park’s internal servicing feeder main and water, sanitary, and storm sewer refurbishment project.

The additional engineering services include permitting and monitoring for railways crossings, splitting the feeder main installation into two tenders to use remaining federal funding, and including the recommendations from an assessment of storm and sanitary infrastructure. This project focuses on installing water feeder mains to connect SaskWater’s future Great Plains Power Station to the city system and upgrading water mains and storm and sanitary sewer pipes along Fairford Street East from Third to Eighth avenues northeast. The project on Fairford Street connects to the industrial park since the feeder main turns south. The second part of this project is separate from the 2021 cast iron water main replacement program.

During the April 26 regular council meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve the project changes for $217,485.35, with the city’s share to be $103,250.70 and SaskPower covering $114,234.65. The city’s additional share will come from the existing budget in the LD3 southeast industrial subdivision.

There is $2.7 million in the land development budget, which is sufficient to cover the city’s additional cost for this change, a council report said. No extra funding needs to be pulled from any other budget category.

Project explanation

The servicing for SaskWater “has a complex routing” since the water and sewer pipes must go under two railway crossings and a river, said Bevan Harlton, director of engineering services. Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN) railways had to approve more than $110,000 in associated costs such as additional monitoring, geotechnical reviews, and having a full-time consultant on site during work around the rail lines’ right of way.

Meanwhile, cost savings of $5,314 were identified with the project on Fairford Street East by having ISL replace aging pipes along the route, which ensured the road did not have to be ripped open multiple times for repairs.

The first part of the project includes tying into the city’s east feeder main on Fairford Street, followed by crossing under the Moose Jaw Creek, pipe-jacking under the CP Rail line, down several more streets and connecting to the industrial park, Harlton said. The second part includes installing several hundred metres of water and sanitary sewer pipe along Fairford Street East — including going under the CN Rail bridge — and lining and replacing other pipes.

City hall expects that there will be 20 residential and commercial service connections that will be handled during this project, he added.

Total construction costs for this project during 2020 and 2021 have been nearly $8 million, with ISL receiving $800,000 or eight per cent in construction fees. ISL expects to finish the project by Sept. 30.

Council discussion

It’s important to note that no additional funding is required for this change, while it’s also important to remember that this work is required, said Coun. Heather Eby. Based on Harlton’s description of having to go under rail crossings and rivers to install the pipes, clearly “it’s very complex,” and she appreciated someone knowledgeable leading this project.

Eby also appreciated hearing that city hall would address service connections along Fairford Street East. She encouraged residents and business owners along that path to upgrade their connections so that road did not have to be dug up again. She pointed to High Street West as a “sad and disappointing” example.

“I know it’s an expense for people, but I hope people consider it very seriously … When this job is done, it will be done for 20 years,” she added.

City manager Jim Puffalt encouraged residents in that area to inform city hall before construction began about whether they want their service connections upgraded.