Closing a section of Plank Road for a construction project over the past few months saved the City of Sarnia "significant" dollars.
Phase one of the project, between Indian Road and McGregor Side Road, began in the spring and wrapped shortly before the end of August. Construction crews installed a new water main, and resurfaced and widened the road.
Construction Manager Robert Williams said the final price tag was $3.4 million; it was originally estimated to cost $3.3 million.
"We did see some premiums on certain items but we were able to operate still within our available contingency," he said.
"We were able to save significant dollars by just not having to maintain the traffic control … which would have involved barriers and temporary traffic signals."
City council had previously agreed to delay the second phase of the Plank Road project, between McGregor Side Road and Gladwish Drive, due to cost. Phase two would have cost about $1.5 million more than anticipated.
"We are hoping to make it cheaper. [There] was a big premium associated with the way the tender had closed the first time so we're looking at recycling the existing asphalt and possibly direct bury -- or an open-cut type of construction for the water main and that should save us some dollars as well."
The city's design team is currently working with consultants on phase two. Williams said they hope to release a tender in the fall or early spring of 2023 for construction to begin next year.
