The Dashwood Road Reconstruction project is inching closer to breaking ground, with reports presented to both Bluewater and South Huron Councils this week (at their meetings on Monday, May 6th).
A complicated political dance, as the county road in questions straddles both municipalities.
In South Huron, concerns from councillors called to question the project’s duration, with Councillor Marissa Vaughan raising eyebrows at the projected length of up to three years of construction.
Infrastructure Manager Don Giberson explained that because of the multilayered nature of the project, the county deemed it necessary to span across several years.
Deputy Mayor Jim Becker identified that his understanding from sitting in County Council was that the county intended to keep the road functional throughout construction, which meant that the process would take longer.
In Bluewater an increase in costs for some water services (with an additional $17,000 tacked onto the 2024 budget) as compared to initial estimates had council raising eyebrows – a mistake which Manager of Public Works Dave Kester identified as an error.
Council also toyed with the placement and frequency of fire hydrant accesses, which were a big ticket item on the project.
Kester indicated that it would be advisable to maintain consistent fire hydrant access on both sides of the road, a sentiment which Deputy Mayor John Becker echoed.
Both councils ultimately moved to progress the project, tendered at a total of $7 million – with the county covering roughly $5.3 million of those costs (over three years), and the municipalities responsible for the remaining funds.
Written by: B. Shakyaver