WESTLOCK – Westlock County will go forward with close to $500,000 worth of bridge work this summer in Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4.
At their April 25 regular meeting following a recommendation from transportation and utilities manager James Plain, councillors voted 7-0 to accept the low bid of $494,990, excluding GST, from Griffin Contracting Ltd for bridge work and maintenance as part of the 2023 capital budget of $832,441 — CAO Tony Kulbisky noted the remainder of that total encompasses a “scattering of other work across the county.”
Plain said they’ve worked with Griffin in the past and “they can complete this type of work in a
satisfactory manner.” In addition to Griffin, Bridgemen Services Ltd, Formula Alberta Ltd. and Volker Stevin Highways submitted bids for work on bridges 07105, 08430, 70558 and 71038.
“So, it’s just not a matter of the lowest (bid), the competency is there as well?” asked Coun. Sherri Provencal. “Correct,” Plain replied.
“Sounds good to me,” she added.
A letter from MPA Engineering’s Kris Bosters also recommended selecting Griffin and notes the modified-tender price (exclusive of site occupancy and GST) was $470,990, which is $80,260, or 15 per cent, lower than the ‘C’ estimate dated Feb. 15, 2023 — the ‘D’ estimate included an addition 10 per cent contingency of $49,499, and $70,928 in engineering fees for a total cost of $615,417. Specifically, BF 07105 is slated to cost $97,228, BF 08430 is tabbed at $95,878, BF 70558 is $226,184 and BF 71038 comes in at $197,628.
“Griffin Contracting Ltd.’s price is low compared to the pre-tender engineering estimate and other bidders. MPA has contacted Griffin Contracting Ltd. and confirmed they are comfortable with their price,” reads the letter from Bosters in part.
“Both MPA Engineering Ltd. and Westlock County have also worked with Griffin Contracting Ltd. on numerous past bridge repair projects. Their past performance has indicated that they can complete this type of work and they have always completed projects in a satisfactory manner where we have been involved.”
