CBS reaps the benefits of competition for road work

By Craig Westcott

The Town of CBS got a big range of bids from companies looking to get its street upgrading and sidewalk work this summer.
Five companies bid on the tender with Modern Paving Limited winning it with the lowest bid of some $1.9 million.
The next lowest bidder was Eric Taylor Ltd., at $2.177 million, followed by Weir’s Construction at $2.217 million, Dexter Construction at $2.45 million, and Farrell’s Excavating at $2.632 million.
The bids were evaluated by engineering firm Englobe and the provincial government’s regional engineer.
Modern Paving’s bid was actually $301,426 lower than the preconstruction estimate provided by the engineers involved in preparing the specifications for the work.
Some 1,550 metres of street will be upgraded and 800 metres of sidewalk upgraded or extended. The streets in for upgrades include Shady Lane, which is located off Morgans Road in Seal Cove, Dawes Place in Upper Gullies, Rosalie Place off Millers Road in Topsail, Valleyview Crescent in Chamberlains, and Parsons Place off Peachytown Road in Foxtrap.
The areas slated for sidewalk work include the main road in Topsail from Carters Lane to Topsail Beach Road and Route 60 from Forest Road to Riverdale in Kelligrews.
The work is expected to continue through the fall. The Town is responsible for paying some $400,000 towards the work with the Province covering the rest through its capital works borrowing.
“I’m pleased that we’re extending sidewalks along Route 60 in a couple of areas, down around Riverdale and up around Topsail Beach Road,” said Mayor Darrin Bent.