Summary#
Montréal city council approved a contract with Services d'infrastructures Vortex inc. for water-pipe and street work in Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce. The total authorized expenditure is $13,624,871.64, taxes included; the goal, as described by city staff, is to renew water infrastructure and coordinate street repairs.
- The contract is for about 2.53 km of water pipes, roadwork and minor sidewalk repairs.
- The work includes replacing about 115 lead water service connections in the public section and about 33 in the private section.
- The city awarded the contract through public call for tenders 524101. Vortex was the lowest compliant bidder with the required experience clause among three bids.
- The resolution requires the city to evaluate Vortex’s performance.
What it means for you#
- People in the affected streets: Work may include water-pipe repairs, road resurfacing, sidewalk repairs and replacement of lead or other non-compliant water connections. The resolution does not list the streets.
- Residents and road users: The contract sets daily penalties for contractor delays: $1,000 for late work schedules; $1,000 to $3,500 for missing a street deadline, depending on the street’s impact rating; $500 for delays to certain private-area repairs or speed bumps; and $1,000 for late street cleaning or correction of deficiencies.
- Taxpayers: The city authorized the total expenditure. The decision does not directly change taxes, water rates or eligibility for a service.
Money#
The city authorized $13,624,871.64, taxes included.
- The contract is $12,093,300, with $1,209,330 for contingencies and $322,241.64 for related costs.
- The winning bid was 1.46% above the city’s estimate of $11,918,972.80. The next-lowest compliant bid was 10.36% higher than Vortex’s.
- The materials do not say how much of the contingency budget will be used.
What is unclear#
- The decision does not give a work schedule or contract length, or identify the streets. The street list and map are referenced as attachments, but are not included here.
- A prior city decision cited by staff said owners would fully reimburse the city for private-section lead-pipe replacements. This decision does not explain whether or how that applies to the approximately 33 private connections in this project.
- The decision does not state how much of the authorized contingency and related-cost budgets will be spent.
Case for#
- City staff say lining pipes can renew them without trench excavation, reducing disruption and speeding up repairs and restoration.
- Coordinating pipe work with road and sidewalk repairs may allow the city to address several infrastructure needs in the same areas.
- Three bids were received, and the lowest compliant bid was close to the city’s estimate.
Case against#
- The winning bid was above the city’s estimate, and the total authorization is higher still because it includes contingency and related costs.
- The materials do not give the schedule or street list, so residents cannot tell when or where disruption will occur from this decision alone.
- It is unclear what costs, if any, owners will have to repay for work on private water connections.