Photo by Whitehorse Star
Lift station project gets more money
An additional $500,000 to replace the city’s lift station on Range Road was advanced by council on Monday night.
An additional $500,000 to replace the city’s lift station on Range Road was advanced by council on Monday night.
The initial preliminary estimate last year put the cost at $2.4 million.
A more refined estimate based on a detailed design calls for the additional funding.
“The sewage lift station and force main on Range Road were constructed in the early 1960s and are at the end of their life cycle,” says the administrative report prepared for council.
“City crews have identified frequent operational problems with this lift station, including security concerns.
“A proactive replacement of the lift station at this time will be more cost-effective than further maintenance and upgrades.”
The $2.4 million is being provided through federal gas tax funding.
The additional $500,000 will come from the city’s water and sewer reserves but will be replaced once the city receives the additional gas tax funding, says the report.
City council’s approval is required for any procurements estimated at $500,000 or more.
The city intends to tender the project later this month with an award scheduled for April. It’s expected the work will begin in April with completion scheduled for November.
First and second readings of the bylaw required to approve the additional $500,000 are scheduled for next Monday. Third and final reading is set for Feb. 28.
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Comments (3)
Up 2 Down 3
Max Mack on Feb 11, 2022 at 6:04 pm
What's half a million dollars? Chump change to this city. Half a million here, half a million there. Money grows on trees.
Costs for this project have already grown by 20% and they haven't even started.
Add another 20% at least for cost overruns and add ons. The final cost will likely be in excess of $4 million. My guess is $5 million with the costs hidden in other areas.
Up 12 Down 3
bonanzajoe on Feb 10, 2022 at 3:44 pm
Good! Money well spent.
Up 31 Down 1
Anie on Feb 10, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Have city staff ever, even once, prepared a preliminary estimate that was even close to actual cost? I can understand when surprises happen after start. But consistently, preliminary budgets have to be revised upwards before anything starts. This smacks of "let's underestimate to get approval, then revise". It's been going on for over 40 years as far as I can tell. It's become corporate culture and no councillor has ever had the jam to call them on it.