Summit Drive intersection in for changes
Paradise council has decided to remove the right hand turn and yield lane onto Rosewell Place from Summit Drive and replace it with a three-way stop at a cost of $281,974, HST included.
Council approved the work during its August 11 public meeting.
“The current alignment places the intersection directly in front of the driveway at 33 Summit Drive,” explained councillor Erin Furlong. “To accommodate the new three-way stop configuration, and improve safety and traffic operations, the intersection will be shifted to the southeast, creating greater separation from the adjacent driveway and establishing a more conventional intersection layout.”
The realignment includes roadway reconstruction, curb modifications, drainage reinstatement, new paving, and signage. Speed cushions will also be installed along Summit Drive, Rosewall Place and Brittany Place.
Six companies submitted bids, and staff recommended council award the job to the lowest qualified bidder Tri Star Excavating for $245,195, plus HST, well above the $208,922, plus HST pre-tender estimate prepared by project consultant Englobe Corp. All six bids came in over budget.
Staff had earmarked $150,000 for the project in Budget 2026. To make up the difference, staff will reallocate $50,00 from the traffic calming design budget and $45,195 from the Woodstock Lift Station upgrade budget.
Furlong said the design has undergone several improvements since the initial estimate was completed, and the cost of materials has increased since the budget was drafted.
“A review of the tender submissions indicated that the concrete and asphalt costs are significantly higher than anticipated in the pre-tender estimates, pushing the results two-and-a-half-percent higher than the normal margin of error,” said Furlong. “The concrete and asphalt costs demonstrate market volatility as they are significantly higher than other contracts awarded this construction season.”
Furlong noted the project has been in the works for some time.
“There’s been quite a bit of community interest and resident involvement,” she said. “So, I know that residents in the area are really looking forward to this moving forward and eventually being completed.”
Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street asked if any lift station upgrades or traffic calming measures are being set aside due to the reallocation of monies.
Furlong said in the case of traffic calming, requests for quotes have only just been issued, so it’s unlikely the money in that budget would have been spent before year end anyway. As for lift station upgrades, the money in that budget came from a surplus and had not been earmarked for any particular projects.
Mayor Patrick Martin, Deputy Mayor Street, and councillor Sheldon Antle voiced support for the project. Councillor Tommy Maher said he had come to the meeting with the intention of voting against the motion, but having spoken with engineering director Chris Milley and looking at the realignment more closely, he had come around to the idea.