Improved purchasing power for transit, an anticipated road maintenance funding gap of roughly $16.9 million over 10 years, and the need for about $116,000 more for engineering the John Fennel Reservoir expansion are just a few of the items on the agenda for Bradford West Gwillimbury’s regular council meeting set for 7 p.m. today in the Zima Room at the BWG Public Library.
Road maintenance forecast to cost more than $64 million over a decade
According to a road needs study from R.J. Burnside & Associates, Bradford will need to spend roughly $64.2 million from 2025 to 2034 to maintain all 275 kilometres of roads currently under the its care.
That’s about $16.9 million more than the roughly $47.3 million the town currently forecasts spending over that period, according to the report, which notes about $1.69 million would be needed each year to prevent the road network from “degrading.”
That’s based on projected wear and tear which Burnside expects will take the road network from an average overall condition of 83.56/100 to about 76.99/100, which is still considered satisfactory.
Their assessment of current conditions found that, of the town’s roads, just 1.27 per cent are poor and just .33 per cent are very poor, with 54 per cent deemed good.
Some of that overall positive condition was attributed to the town applying “relatively cost-effective routine, preventive and resurfacing treatments,” which Burnside recommends continuing at an estimated cost of about $8.75 million over the next decade.
Burnside also recommends upgrading four gravel road sections in town to hardtop, including parts of Line 4, Line 6 and both halves of Spencer Lane.
A report from Elise Ferro, the town’s project manager of asset management, noted specific road improvements will be included in the town’s budget each year.
A chance to ride with Metrolinx
A report from Paul Dubniak, transportation technologist for the town, recommends Bradford join the Metrolinx Transit Procurement Initiative (TPI) which is intended to streamline the process, provide access to new projects, enhance delivery and foster innovation.
That’s mainly accomplished by bringing together small, medium and large transit providers, who can then take advantage of bulk purchasing as well as a TPI team who develop technical specifications and tender documents, evaluate and award procurement and manage contracts for the entire lifecycle, according to the report.
That’s expected to save between five and 20 per cent on contracts, and help secure vehicles “in a difficult supply chain environment,” according to Dubniak, who added the initiative can provide smaller transit agencies with goods and services which they might not otherwise be able to access.
Other benefits can include extended warranties and enhanced price protections — all of which could be helpful as the town looks to roll out its new transit plan.
Since beginning in 2006, the initiative has reportedly conducted 27 joint procurements for 54 transit agency partners.
Duniak notes there is no cost or purchase minimums required for Bradford to join the TPI and the town will retain full discretion on which initiatives it selects through the program.
Reservoir project needs splash of cash
A report from Tony Desroches, director of infrastructure services, is recommending council approve an additional $116,400 on top of the $1 million included in the 2024 budget for engineering and consulting services for the expansion of the John Fennell Reservoir.
According to the report, that expansion is expected to be necessary in order to hold enough water to service the town’s population growth to 2051 based on a 2020 report about Bradford water and wastewater servicing criteria.
Desroches explained the request for proposal for engineering and consulting services — including design and construction supervision — received two proposals before closing in September with the preferred proposal coming in higher than expected.
While the winning bidder can’t be revealed until the after the contract is awarded, bids were received from Ainley & Associates and R.J. Burnside.
If approved, Desroches said the additional funds would come from the water development charges account, the same as the initial $1 million, as the project is growth related.
Following design work, a tender for construction is anticipated in 2026.
