Dysart et al council and public works staff are going back to the drawing board after learning the planned replacement of the Koshlong Lake bridge came in more than $4 million over budget.
Rob Camelon, public works director, told council Aug. 27 the township received a lone bid, from Four Brothers Construction in Orillia, who said they could complete the work for just over $5.25 million. Dysart had budgeted $1.1 million for the project.
“Still stinging on this one,” Camelon said. “We didn’t see it coming. Needless to say, we’re not recommending awarding this. We’re going to come back with a few different options.”
Another bid, submitted by HugoMB Contracting Inc., was submitted after the tender deadline and wasn’t considered.
Issues with the bridge were first identified in December 2022, when Camelon asked council to approve new legislation limiting the weight of vehicles crossing the bridge. Engineering firm Tulloch completed a study of the 60-plus-year-old bridge in fall 2022, finding it was not up to modern safety standards and needs replacing. It was built in 1960.
Council opted to lower the allowable weight limit to 16 tons for single-unit vehicles, 29 tons for two-unit vehicles, and 42 tons for three-unit vehicles until 2027 – though the decision was heavily criticized by homeowners in the area.
Residents Ken and Frances Hill, and Laurie Bruce, representing the Koshlong Lake Association, said the bridge was the only access point to properties for at least 147 residences in Dysart and Highlands East. They said the weight limits prevented emergency services, such as fire and EMS, from crossing.
In January 2023, council approved the purchase of a temporary bridge for $188,533. It was installed in February, with all weight limits removed. Camelon noted this project was for a permanent replacement.
The public works director suggested putting the project out for tender again in the new year – possibly at the same time as the bridge crossing Redstone Brook.
He told council staff had investigated possible detours – but the only workable option would see people travelling an additional 27 kilometres, with a four-to-five kilometre stretch of that traversing private property.
“So that brings its own challenges,” Camelon said, noting the detour would also cross into Crown land.
Mayor Murray Fearrey said the township may have no option but to abandon the project if it doesn’t receive any lower bids during the next round.
