Revelstoke intersection cost down but still over budget at $1.7 million

Latest figures for the upgrade of the Victoria/Mutas Road intersection, off the Trans-Canada Highway, are down to $1.7 million, less than the feared $2.1 million but still more than the budget allocation of $1.2 million.

McElhanney Consulting Services have now completed the preliminary intersection design work of the upgrade plans. Revelstoke city councillors will discuss at the council meeting on Tuesday June 14 whether to give the engineers the green light for further detailed design work and to develop the tender package to find a contractor to carry out the project.

Hopes are for construction to begin on the roundabout at Wright Street this fall, and be completed in the spring of 2017 before the summer tourist traffic.

Construction on the Wright Street roundabout is hoped to begin in fall 2016. Photo: McElhanney Consulting Services

With the estimated cost still over the 2016 budget allocation, city staff will be searching for all possible funding and grant opportunities. There is hope that the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure contribute funds, but it’s not yet clear how much that will be.

If the city goes to tender without securing the external funding of $500,000, they will be at risk of footing the total bill themselves.

The breakdown of the anticipated costs for this $1,711,100 project are as follows:

• $956,600 for roadworks;
• $83,900 for storm sewers;
• $2,000 for sanitary sewers;
• $49,100 for watermains;
• $94,300 for street lighting;
• $103,500 for landscaping;
• $63,100 for shallow utilities;
• $73,600 for miscellaneous costs.
• and a $285,000 contingency.

The anticipated $1.7 million construction design for the upgraded Victoria/Mutas Road intersection. Photo: McElhanney Consulting Services

The design has caught the interest of many Revelstoke residents and not all businesses that will be impacted by the upgrade are happy with the changes.

In his report to council, director of engineering and development Mike Thomas said that this is part of the risk.

“We believe that the design is the best solution to the competing demands from the input received from all stakeholders,” he wrote. “This risk exists with any design, as it is unlikely that all parties would be satisfied with any one potential solution.

“Staff and the consultant are managing this risk through stakeholder engagement and bringing each design and procurement stage forward to council for approval.”

See the latest city council report here, which includes intersection designs and the McElhanney Consulting Services’ report.

For background on this story, check out the Revelstoke Mountaineer’s gallery of previous articles.