By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Tyler Waugh
A stretch of road that connects the Goulds to Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove is primed for some TLC in the near future, and not a moment too soon based on talk at a recent council meeting.
Ferryland MHA Loyola O’Driscoll announced August 4 that two projects in his district had recently been approved, including 3.8 km of road rehabilitation on Route 11 (Petty Harbour Road) between Crocker’s Road and the second intersection of Old Maddox Cove Road.
“I am expecting work to begin soon, and I look forward to seeing these important projects get underway,” said O’Driscoll.
That stretch of road had drawn the ire of several members of the Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove Town council in June.
“It’s getting ridiculous now, it’s almost a hazard,” said Mayor Ed Dyke, proposing that council draft a letter before learning that the project was already being prepared for tender.
The tender process for Route 11 was combined with rehabilitation roadwork for around 4.7 km of Route 10 in Bay Bulls stretching from the municipal limits to Ryan’s Lane.
The tender – valued at $6,673,681, plus HST, was awarded to Municipal Construction Ltd. of Paradise. Farrell’s Excavating submitted a bid of $6,884,796 and Nortech Construction bid $7,220,552.00.
Meanwhile, Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove decided its own paving patchwork tender on Aug. 10, with Formac coming in at $27,062 and CW Parsons Paving at $27,427. Both quotes were a couple thousand dollars above what the Town had hoped to pay.
Town manager Mandy Dinn pointed out factors for why there were only two bids received namely that companies are in the prime of the roadwork season and a contract of this size is not a priority for most contractors.
Deputy Mayor Irene Stack conceded the work had to be done, even if the costs came in over budget. She made the motion to award the tender to Formac and the motion passed.
Mayor Dyke pointed out that priority areas have been identified in the community.
Dinn said the work should be done in the coming weeks.
