Confederation Bridge costs rise with electrical retrofit

Smiths Falls council approves additional $58K

LAURIE WEIR

What was supposed to be one electrical conduit under the new Confederation Bridge has turned into four and another $59K on the bill.

Smiths Falls council signed off on the added cost during a council meeting on June 2, chalking it up to changing Hydro One standards and custom installation work.

Town council has approved an additional $58,879.84 for the Confederation Drive pedestrian bridge project to cover unexpected costs tied to upgraded electrical infrastructure.

The change stems from revised Hydro One standards that require a more robust conduit system than originally planned. Instead of a single PVC conduit outlined in the original design-build proposal, four galvanized steel conduits will now be installed beneath the timber bridge, one for each of the three high-voltage phase wires, plus a spare. This electrical service powers Parks Canada’s local headquarters and the historic Lock 29a at 34 Beckwith Street South.

The added cost covers a custom-designed hanger system, engineering time and installation. StructureCraft, the British Columbia-based company contracted to build the bridge, submitted the change request following consultations with the town and Hydro One.

The pedestrian bridge project, budgeted at $2,628,342.52, remains within the funding envelope created through a series of capital approvals dating back to 2021. According to the report presented to council, and with updated figures from staff, there is still $48,000 left in the account.

“Like many capital projects, there’s still a level of uncertainty as we roll through this project,” said Paul McMunn, director of public works and utilities, who presented the report at the June 2 special committee of the whole meeting. He said he hopes there are no further change orders.

“I’ve had a very candid discussion with StructureCraft,” he added. “They’re not seeing anything from their end that could cause inflationary pressures on this project.”

Coun. Peter McKenna noted that with a multi-jurisdictional project involving Parks Canada and Hydro One, some issues are bound to arise as the work unfolds.

Mayor Shawn Pankow supported the recommendation but urged staff to ask Hydro One to cover the expense.

“Go further to see if we can get Hydro One to reimburse us for this cost. They’re the service supplier here,” he said.

“It’s one of those unfortunate situations. Had it been anywhere else in town, in their road allowance, I guess they’d be responsible for looking after it,” he added. “The situation has deemed that we’re responsible.”

The mayor said the town doesn’t benefit from the electrical setup aside from ensuring Parks Canada’s buildings have power. “And our taxpayers bear the costs.”

The new bridge replaces a decommissioned vehicle bridge over the Rideau Canal and is designed as a signature pedestrian link between Veterans’ Memorial and Centennial parks. The bridge features a 52-metre clear-span glulam arch that eliminates the need for in-water supports and reduces environmental impact.

The project also includes stone-faced abutments, a curved metal roof and viewing platforms, reflecting the heritage and recreational character of the canal corridor.

In January, the town secured nearly $500,000 in federal funding through Natural Resources Canada’s Green Construction Through Wood Program to help offset timber-related costs.

StructureCraft began site preparation work in late winter. The bridge is expected to open later this year.

Mayor Pankow, who toured StructureCraft’s facility during a recent visit to British Columbia, said the bridge wasn’t under construction yet, “but I was able to see how they operate in there … and similar things that they’re working on. It was a fairly quick tour, but encouraging to know that they’ve got a great team behind this.”

He said he was impressed by the craftsmanship and quality of work, though “a bit concerned about how they’re going to get the bridge to Smiths Falls through the winding trails of the Rockies on two transports.”

The Confederation Bridge project aligns with the town’s 2023–26 strategic plan, which prioritizes infrastructure investment and active transportation.

The recommendation was adopted at the June 2 council meeting that followed.