Ontario Construction News staff writer
After re-tendering the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, the Town of Erin has chosen North America Construction Ltd. for the job.
Re-tender was necessary after none of the pre-qualified contractors submitted bits to construct the plan prior to the original deadline in August 2021.
The second construction tender was released in December 2021 and the submission deadline was extended twice at the request of the contractors, finally closing on March 18.
Erin council announced the $114.5 million contract last week with North America Construction Ltd., one of the prequalified contractors. The original budget was $126 million.
According to a staff report, Bennett Mechanical Installations Ltd., Graham Construction and Engineering LP, Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd., North America Construction Ltd., and ASCO Construction Ltd. were pre-qualified and bids were submitted by North America Construction Ltd. ($114 million) and Bennett Mechanical Installations Ltd. ($118 million).
The plant will service the Village of Erin and Hillsburgh. Working with the Credit Valley Conservation authority (CVC) and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) it was determined that a new system is the best path forward to keep the community thriving now, and for generations to come.
Erin currently relies on aging septic tanks and systems that are outdated when compared to systems in other towns across Ontario. Once the tanks begin to fail – which is happening in our case – it can be harmful to the environment.
The new system will carry all wastewater flows to a single wastewater treatment plant. It will support the needs of the community by removing the reliance on the existing septic systems while creating new opportunities for measured growth within the Town over the next two decades.
Town staff and WSP reviewed the bids.
“Both of these contractors have extensive experience in the wastewater field and are also local firms with their head offices less than 50 kilometres from the town,” Gary Thorne, WSP project manager wrote in a letter to council. “Either of these contractors have the capability to complete the project.
“North America Construction is considered as the respondent with the lowest pricing and, therefore, the recommended contractor.”
