Summary#
Montréal city council unanimously adopted its position on a contract for work at the Île-de-la-Visitation and Pointe-aux-Prairies nature parks. It is asking the agglomeration council to award Limoges et fils inc. the contract; the agglomeration council makes the final decision at a later meeting.
- The proposed contract covers demolition and rebuilding of bridges and repairs to paths in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles.
- The work would demolish six wooden bridges and rebuild four: three at Pointe-aux-Prairies and one at Île-de-la-Visitation. It also includes path work, removal of two shelters, and replanting two areas at Île-de-la-Visitation.
- The contract was selected through a public call for tenders. Four bids were submitted; three were compliant, and Limoges et fils inc. was the lowest compliant bidder.
- The resolution also calls for an evaluation of the company’s performance.
What it means for you#
- Park users: City staff say the work is intended to address unstable bridges and worn paths that can collect water and become unusable for part of the year. The decision does not set out a construction schedule or say whether paths will close during the work.
- The contractor: If the agglomeration council approves the contract, Limoges et fils inc. would carry out the work. The decision does not specify a contract length.
- Taxpayers: The proposed spending limit is $1,095,134.60, including taxes.
Money#
The proposed total spending is $1,095,134.60, including taxes.
- This includes $764,102.79 for the contract, $152,820.56 for contingencies (a reserve for unexpected costs), and $178,211.25 for incidental expenses.
- City staff estimate the lowest compliant bid is $588,178.55, or 43.5%, below their revised cost estimate. The bid is also 75.36% below the second-lowest compliant bid.
What is unclear#
- The materials do not give a construction start date, completion date, or details about access during construction.
- They do not explain how much of the contingency or incidental budgets the city expects to use.
Case for#
- City staff say the bridges have serious damage and instability, and worn paths cause drainage problems. Rebuilding and repairing them could address safety and access concerns.
- The selected bid was the lowest compliant one and was substantially below the revised estimate.
Case against#
- The large gap between the winning bid, the revised estimate and the next-lowest compliant bid raises uncertainty about whether the work can be delivered at the proposed contract price.
- The contract covers rebuilding only four of the six bridges being demolished. City staff say the two at Île-de-la-Visitation will not be rebuilt so those areas can be replanted, but the materials do not describe the effect on users’ routes.