Picton Main Street project postponed

The Picton Main Street Rehabilitation Project has been postponed until the spring of 2016.

“As bids received were significantly higher than estimated project cost, the County has been forced to cancel the project tender,” said Robert McAuley, Commissioner of Engineering Development and Works in a statement. “The tender will be revised and re-issued in the near future, striving to keep the project within approved project funding estimates.”

The project will result in the upgrade of water mains, connections and sanitary/storm sewers on Picton Main Street from Chapel Street to Bridge Street, and also see the replacement of curbs, sidewalks and lighting in the same area.

Largely funded through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF), the project must be completed by December 31, 2016 in order to qualify for grant funding.

“Despite the compressed construction timeline, the County will continue to make every effort to implement a construction schedule that will accommodate Picton’s busiest tourist months, and complete the project in a manner that will minimize disruption to local businesses, residents, and visitors,” the statement said.

The Picton Business Improvement Association will continue to be consulted throughout the duration of the project in order minimize impact on the downtown core.

“We are disappointed that no bids were received that could allow us to begin Picton Main Street reconstruction this fall, said McAuley, Commissioner of Engineering, Development and Works. “We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to complete this necessary upgrade of essential infrastructure in a manner that will minimize disruption to businesses, visitors, and residents.”

The Picton Main Street Rehabilitation Project was initially estimated to cost $2,778,548. As funding received through OCIF cannot exceed $2,000,000, the grant will support approximately 72 per cent of the estimated project cost.