9628 replies to this topic

[Cats4Hire]

A 31 crashed near Uptown. Not really sure how it managed to get up that far. https://www.facebook...923539121126945

[Mike K.]

Luckily there were no serious injuries. The fellow who sent us the photos wasn't able to provide much more info than the photos.

 

 

[VicHockeyFan]

Something on the radio this morning about the "24 hour" priority bus lanes costing more.

 

Did not catch it all.

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 13 December 2017 - 08:32 AM.

[nagel]

Something on the radio this morning about the "24 hour" priority bus lanes costing more.

 

Did not catch it all.

Budget was 2.1M and they are going to cost 4.3M, so more than double the budget.  This is for the southbound lane only, I guess from Tolmie to Hillside.  I guess it's not just bike lanes that are going over budget.  Interesting it's got a Lisa Helps photo as this is a BCT project and CoV is not responsible for the overrun. 

 

https://www.vicnews....million-higher/

[spanky123]

Budget was 2.1M and they are going to cost 4.3M, so more than double the budget.  This is for the southbound lane only, I guess from Tolmie to Hillside.  I guess it's not just bike lanes that are going over budget.  Interesting it's got a Lisa Helps photo as this is a BCT project and CoV is not responsible for the overrun. 

 

https://www.vicnews....million-higher/

 

I guess that is what happens when you try and take credit for something in the first place.

[TallGuy]

Unfortunately, civil construction costs are insane right now. From my experience, costs/quotes have increased by at least 50% in the last year or so.

 

In my line of work, we've re-re-tendered some projects and have either received no bids because the work isn't substantial enough, or have received bids that are 50-80% above our professional estimates.

 

At some point you either have to bite the bullet or delay the work until the market slows, but you're not going to starve out any contractors in this market.

[Nparker]

...At some point you either have to bite the bullet or delay the work until the market slows...

At what point will those who control the public purse strings finally say "enough"?  I can't even begin to imagine what the sewage treatment plant is going to ultimately cost in this environment. There are only so many taxpayer dollars to spend and going 100% over budget on every project will bankrupt us pretty fast.

Edited by Nparker, 14 December 2017 - 07:16 AM.

[VicHockeyFan]

Ya sounds fair. And it’s not like our accommodations costs are low if a bidder from away has to put up its people.

[Mike K.]

Part of the problem is municipalities keep paying these high costs.

 

When you go from $7.75 million to $14.5 million for bike lanes, from $2.1 million to $4.3 million for the bus lane, etc. you're feeding into that equation. You're also forcing all other job sites to compete with your (literally) unlimited pool of money, which means housing costs are also affected.

[nagel]

Ok, but as a muni you need to decide on whether to proceed, and if you don't see these costs going down in the near future (they won't), then delaying is not a real option.  Only cancel/proceed.  You might not see value in bike lanes and bus lanes, but they are key to BCT's and CoV's strategic objectives so while the increased costs are unfortunate, they are becoming the new baseline.

[Nparker]

Part of the problem is municipalities keep paying these high costs...

Then it behoves the taxpayer to protest against this; if nowhere else, then at the very least, the ballot box.

[Nparker]

...You might not see value in bike lanes and bus lanes, but they are key to BCT's and CoV's strategic objectives so while the increased costs are unfortunate, they are becoming the new baseline.

Then we cannot afford a $70 million Crystal Pool replacement. Something MUST come off the table.

[Mike K.]

Ok, but as a muni you need to decide on whether to proceed, and if you don't see these costs going down in the near future (they won't), then delaying is not a real option.  Only cancel/proceed.  You might not see value in bike lanes and bus lanes, but they are key to BCT's and CoV's strategic objectives so while the increased costs are unfortunate, they are becoming the new baseline.

 

The transit commission says it realized a savings of $365,000 by waiting nearly a year between the initial tendering process and the latest tendering process.

 

Costs are elevated due to private sector construction activity. Once the private sector activity settles down, that's when municipalities and governments can get to work.

[nagel]

The transit commission says it realized a savings of $365,000 by waiting nearly a year between the initial tendering process and the latest tendering process.

 

Costs are elevated due to private sector construction activity. Once the private sector activity settles down, that's when municipalities and governments can get to work.

They probably reduced the scope to realize those savings.

[Bingo]

Sailors know that it is unwise to reduce scope, as you can end up dragging your anchor.

[tjv]

Bids are as follows:

 

Don Mann Excavating $3,025,678.00

Brunnell Construction $3,271,479.00

Northridge Excavating $3,689,358.20

Sparker Construction  $3,850,867.98

Jacob Bros Construction $4,060,330.00

[Mike K.]

They probably reduced the scope to realize those savings.

 

Correct, they amended their tender document.

[Mike K.]

 

Bids are as follows:

 

Don Mann Excavating $3,025,678.00

Brunnell Construction $3,271,479.00

Northridge Excavating $3,689,358.20

Sparker Construction  $3,850,867.98

Jacob Bros Construction $4,060,330.00

 

 

Ah, very good.

 

Here's the rest of the puzzle:

 

BC Transit Soft Costs | $70,000
Design Costs | $245,000
City "Eligible Costs" | $321,000
Construction Contingency Allowance* | $250,000

________________________________
Project Costs Subtotal | $3,912,000
Project Contingency (10%)** | $391,000
Total Budget Approval Request (with contingency) | $4,303,000

[Mike K.]

From Matthew James Dunlop.

 

[Linear Thinker]

Tender closed on December 8th for the Ministry's project.

I know the scope changed drastically from the original tender in the spring, so can't compare to the previous tender.

Both bids are within the budget the Province set out as below.

 

From BC Bid,

Supplier Name                          Location     Total Tender Cost

Jacob Bros. Construction Inc.   Surrey        $10,802,018.00

Don Mann Excavating Ltd.        Victoria      $10,952,418.01

 

Douglas Street bus lane tender signals relief for commuters

https://news.gov.bc....TRAN0274-001900

 

...

The tender is now posted on BC Bid with targeted completion for fall 2018 and an estimated project cost of $12.75 million, with the Province contributing $8.125 million and the Government of Canada providing up to $4.625 million under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

 

Edited by Linear Thinker, 13 December 2017 - 12:29 PM.