Council approves contract for Scugog Line 4 repairs

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

SCUGOG: On Monday, December 2nd, Scugog councillors reviewed a critical report from Grant Taylor, Director of Public Works and Infrastructure, addressing the urgent need to remediate Scugog Line 4 due to a culvert failure.

Council voted to approve a single-source contract with Northern Mat and Bridge LP (NMB) to replace the failing structure with a modular bridge, expediting the project timeline and minimizing costs.

“This is a necessary step to restore safe passage on Scugog Line 4 and address the immediate structural issues,” Mr. Taylor explained. The roadway was closed on September 30th, following a structural assessment by Planmac Engineering Inc., which revealed significant deterioration since the last inspection in November 2022. “The culvert has reached the end of its service life, with issues such as sinkholes, exposed rebar, and major wall cracks. Replacement is the only viable option,” he added.

The approved contract includes the design, fabrication, and installation of a 9.3-meter modular bridge, which is expected to enhance hydraulic efficiency by 30 percent without altering the existing road elevation. The project also encompasses removing the failed culvert, constructing new reinforced concrete abutments, installing guide rails, and completing final paving.

Traditionally, such infrastructure projects undergo a multi-year process of detailed design and environmental assessment, with construction slated for 2027. However, Mr. Taylor emphasized the urgency to accelerate timelines, noting, “A turnkey solution offered by NMB allows us to reopen the road far earlier, by 2025, while achieving significant cost savings.”

NMB’s modular bridges, fabricated by their partner Lessard Welding, are certified to meet Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code standards and have a lifespan exceeding 75 years. Mr. Taylor assured council that NMB’s extensive experience with similar projects across Ontario made them the best choice. “Their track record, combined with their economical and efficient approach, positions them as a trusted partner for municipalities.”

The project is estimated to cost $412,435, with $120,000 already allocated from the township’s 2025 capital budget. Council approved an additional $292,435 from the Roads and Other Infrastructure Reserve. This approach avoids the originally forecasted $1 million expense for 2027.

Construction is expected to begin after the spring thaw in 2025, with an estimated completion timeline of under two weeks. “The goal is to restore safe and reliable access for residents, school buses, and farming operations as quickly as possible,” Mr. Taylor concluded.