Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on a proposed contract for sewer work under rue Nicolet, between rues Adam and Notre-Dame Est, in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve. It asked the agglomeration council to award the contract to Les Excavations Lafontaine inc. and authorize a total project expense of $4,814,644.04, taxes included. City staff say the goal is to reduce the risk of sewer failure and keep the service operating; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed contract covers rehabilitation of 405 metres of sewer collector, reconstruction of one sewer manhole and repairs to two sewer chambers.
- The work would use a flexible fiberglass liner inserted inside the collector. The contract period is 275 calendar days.
- The proposed contract price is $4,069,353.88, taxes included, with $610,403.08 for contingencies and $134,887.08 for other project costs.
- The contract would go to the lowest compliant bidder. Four companies submitted compliant bids through the public call for tenders.
- The resolution also calls for an evaluation of Les Excavations Lafontaine inc.’s performance.
What it means for you#
- Residents and businesses near the work: If the agglomeration council approves the contract, work would take place on rue Nicolet between rues Adam and Notre-Dame Est. The work plan includes traffic signs and management of impacts in the work zone.
- People who use Montréal’s sewer service: The work is intended to repair an ageing sewer collector. City staff say inspections found significant structural damage. The decision does not itself guarantee that failures, flooding or property damage will be prevented.
- Taxpayers: The project expense would be paid 100% by the agglomeration and financed through borrowing bylaw RCG 23-029. This decision does not change a tax rate or create a new fee.
Money#
The proposed total project expense is $4,814,644.04, taxes included; the net expense after tax rebates is $4,396,411.75.
- The contract price is $4,069,353.88, taxes included. The contingency budget is $610,403.08, and other project costs are $134,887.08.
- Other costs include materials testing and work by other parties, including fees for tracking contaminated soil.
- Four compliant bids were received. The winning bid, including contingencies and taxes, was 7% below the city’s estimate and 29.38% below the next-lowest compliant bid.
- City staff recommend a 15% contingency because of the collector’s age and nearby water pipes and other underground infrastructure.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give a start date or a detailed construction schedule beyond the 275-day contract period.
- They do not say what specific disruptions residents or businesses may face, or how long any traffic changes would last.
- The decision does not specify how much of the contingency budget will be used; it is a budget for possible unexpected work.
Case for#
- City staff say inspections found serious structural defects in a collector built in 1891, and that rehabilitation is needed in the short term.
- The proposed liner and related repairs are intended to strengthen the collector, address physical defects and leaks, and extend its useful life.
- The lowest compliant bid was below the city’s estimate. Staff say delaying the work could make rehabilitation harder and could lead to more costly reconstruction.
Case against#
- The total expense includes substantial contingency and other-cost budgets, so the final amount spent could differ from the contract price.
- The second-lowest compliant bid was 29.38% higher than the winning bid. The materials explain some of the price differences but do not establish how the work will perform once underway.
- The decision provides limited detail about the timing and local effects of construction.