Hospital road OK'd in 9-2 vote
News
Posted By BRENDAN WEDLEY , EXAMINER MUNICIPAL WRITER
Posted 2 months ago
After several years of controversy and debate, construction will begin on the new hospital access road between Clonsilla Ave. and Parkhill Rd. W. with city council approval Monday of an almost $6.9-million contract.
There was little debate on the subject at the council meeting and two public delegations on the item -- both residents spoke about the wildlife in the green space that will be paved over and one of the speakers asked council to delay the construction until after the migratory season for birds.
The almost $8.54-million project wasn't the main item of discussion at the meeting. Instead, more than 60 people showed up for an item discussing the future of the historic Lawn Bowling Club facility on McDonnel St.
Council spent about 15 minutes on the hospital access road item and about four hours of debate and delegations on the Lawn Bowling Club.
Coun. Ann Farquharson, who has consistently opposed the hospital access road project, once again argued that the road and the related road improvements will end up costing taxpayers $10 million.
"I truly, honestly believe that not only are we losing valuable green space ... but I believe honestly that it is not a cost-effective use of $9 million or $10 million of taxpayers' money," she said.
Other councillors have argued that the new road is needed to reduce the amount of traffic that cuts through neighbourhoods in the hospital campus area of the city.
Council members have stated that it will reduce the traffic congestion on roads such as Monaghan Rd.
In a recorded vote, council voted 9-2 to award the construction contract for the project. Councillors Shirley Eggleton and Farquharson voted against awarding the contract.
The city will pay Drain Bros. Excavating Ltd. $6,896,882 plus tax for the construction contract and it will hire D.M. Wills Associates Ltd. at an estimated cost of $349,844 plus tax for contract administration and inspection services.
Council also increased the overall budget for the project to $8,535,000 from the $6.55 million that it had earmarked for the work in the 2009 city budget and in previous years.
City staff have stated that the road will be built before Aug. 31 next year.
The new north-south corridor will stretch from Clonsilla Ave., near Maryland Ave., north to Parkhill Rd. It will be a two-lane road with a 50-km/h speed limit. There will be traffic signals at the major intersections along the route.
The road will be built along a portion of land the city had set aside for the potential extension of The Parkway.
Utility services director Wayne Jackson said the new road hasn't been named.
There's a city committee that deals with the naming of roads, he said.
Erica Nol, a Gilmour St. resident, asked council to delay the construction until after the migrating season for birds.
"I'm just concerned about the timing of the event," she said.
bwedley@peterboroughexaminer.com
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How they voted
City council's vote Monday night on awarding the hospital access road construction contract: Coun. Jack Doris -Yes Coun. Shirley Eggleton -No Coun. Ann Farquharson -No Coun. Eric Martin -Yes Coun. Patti Peeters -Yes Coun. Len Vass -Yes Coun. Bob Hall -Yes Coun. Henry Clarke -Yes Coun. Dean Pappas -Yes Coun. Doug Peacock -Yes Mayor Paul Ayotte -Yes
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