Fort St. John council postpones approving contract for next phases of 89th Avenue construction until 2025

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — After a motion was made by councillor Trevor Bolin, the city has postponed approving a contract for the next phases of construction along 89th Avenue until 2025.

Council rejected the tender during their May 6th special meeting because the project exceeded the approved budget by $1.4 million, and they believe the funds can be better spent on other projects. 

“We know 89th Avenue needs to be done, but we can’t do it at this cost,” said Bolin. “I’m sure we can use those funds somewhere else.” 

Council directed staff to retender the project with a reduced budget in 2025. 

In a Facebook post after Monday’s meeting, Bolin said the contract could raise tax rates higher than it was worth.

“I hope you understand why this decision was made, and I wanted those of you who have asked the city to act to hear directly from me why it’s not getting done this year,” Bolin said in the post. 

Bolin hopes that delaying the project until 2025 will lower costs and allow more companies to bid on the tender. 

The contract would have gone to Terus Construction Ltd. for the second and third phases of 89th Avenue.

The project includes upgrading the water main, storm sewer, street lighting, and paving on the road from east of 81st Street to 86th Street.

The city started reconstructing 89th Avenue in 2023, with phase one of the project awarded the same year.

The first phase started last year and was expected to be complete in late fall, but it experienced delays due to multiple factors.

According to the city, the sidewalks and paving are expected to be done in late May 2024.

Phase one will be completed after sod becomes available for soft-surface landscaping on the road at a later date. The city expects sod to become available in June.

Council awarded other contracts at Monday’s meeting, including tenders for lighting on the hospital trail and the 2024 Asphalt Overlay Program.

The full report can be viewed below: