Johnson Street BridgeReplacement Project Update

Governance & Priorities Committee

Engineering Department

July 9, 2009

Overview

• Federal funding application

• Meeting with Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure

• Meeting with Transport Canada

• Permits / Approvals consultant

• Selection of Owner’s Engineer

• Regional support for project

• Capital Plan and Borrowing Bylaw

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City submitted a Federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund [ISF] grant application on May 1, 2009 for replacement of Johnson Street Bridge– Project cost: $63 million– Includes enhanced bridge, bike lanes, sidewalks,

multi-use path, rail corridor and road reconfiguration

– Project to be substantially completed by March 31, 2011

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City staff met with representatives of Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure [MoTI]

• Preliminary discussion indicated:– Numerous applications received in BC– MoTI reviewing City’s application– Project scope, timeline and readiness outlined– Importance of project and regional significance

emphasized with MoTI– Various letters of support received by City and

provided to MoTI– Expect decision from MoTI soon

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City staff have contacted representatives of Transport Canada to:– Discuss overall project scope and extent– Discuss harbour clearance requirements– Confirm previous environmental studies that

may have been done in area by Transport Canada

– Clarify permit process through Transport Canada

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City has retained Stantec [consultants] to assist in securing permits & environmental approvals:– Heritage Inspection Permit submitted to Archaeology

Branch for 15-day review [expedited process]– Transport Canada Navigable Waters Branch and

Department of Fisheries & Oceans contacted about project

– Environmental assessment work underway– Construction of bridge piers to begin in 2009 Fisheries

Window [July 1 – Feb. 15]

• Federal government intends to fast-track applications under ISF Program

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• Retaining Owner’s Engineer to help deliver project– Request for Expressions of Interest issued

May 25, 2009– Six submissions received June 10, 2009– Shortlisted to 4 consultants to submit

proposals– Expect to select consultant in 2-3 weeks

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• Owner’s Engineer responsibilities:– Prepare RFP for Design-Build contractor

– Apply triple-bottom line framework for assessing successful candidate

– Aesthetic and design components of project and respecting Old Town Guidelines and other planning documents

– Support public input process, recognizing project completion deadline

– Address local community concerns [e.g., traffic management plan]

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• Letters of support received from regional municipalities

• Meeting held with Honourable John Baird, federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure & Communities

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City has included capital cost of project in 5-Year Capital Plan

• Will be establishing a Borrowing Bylaw

• Will also apply to CMHC Loan Program to secure lower interest rate [approx. 1.5% lower] compared to Municipal Finance Authority rate

Advancing Johnson Street Bridge Project

• City is well-positioned for federal-provincial funding grant

• Design-Build delivery model will help reduce completion schedule to meet federal timelines

• Public input is key to project; Project website under development

• Must start in-water work by November 2009 to meet Fisheries Window and complete foundation work towards substantial project completion by March 2011

• JSB is City’s #1 infrastructure priority

Thank You

Questions?