Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge contractor goes into receivership
The company contracted to build the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge is in receivership, the city has learned.
In a statement issued on March 20, the city said this was the result of actions by creditors in recent days.
According to the release, the city plans to work with the courts and receiver to ensure the protection of the interests of the residents of Ottawa.
The Bolton, Ont.-based contractor beat out four rival companies in 2010 to build the eight-lane Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge across the Rideau River linking the communities of Riverside South and Barrhaven.
When contacted by phone on Tuesday, the company said it wasn’t making a statement at the current time.
In 2010, the city and both provincial and federal levels of government set aside $48 million for the construction of the bridge.
According to the statement from the city, work on the bridge is estimated to be about 60 per cent complete and the city holds a performance bond of $23 million which should ensure the completion of the project.
Gloucester-South Nepean Coun. Steve Desroches said he was disappointed that the contractor was in receivership.
“This is very disappointing news and I share this with the community. It is difficult news given how far we have travelled,” said Desroches.
He however said that he is pleased that operations are currently on-going.
“We have made tremendous progress on the bridge - we have completed Earl Armstrong Road, Strandhend Drive and we have approximately completed 60 percent of the bridge project.
He added that the bridge was a project that was pulled from the ashes after the cancellation of the North-South LRT contract.
“It has been a top priority for me since being elected and my focus will be on ensuring the project is completed and protecting the interest of taxpayers,” said Desroches.
Desroches promised to continue to work closely with city officials to ensure there is a good contingency plan in place, so if circumstances change the city is ready to move the project forward quickly.
“My priority is not to only ensure the bridge is completed in a timely manner, but also built safely and to the proper standards,” he said.
“I am relieved that we have some safeguards in place to continue to operate.”
The project is being paid for by the three levels of government and the completion date was late 2012.
Desroches said the goal was to have the bridge structure moved over to the Rideau River this coming summer.
Lisa MacLeod, MPP for Nepean Carleton said she was surprised and disappointed too.
“I am watching and hoping for the best,” said MacLeod.
“I am going to monitor the situation and I am going to be very hopeful.”
MacLeod said the bridge, when completed, will be beneficial to people who live on either side of the Rideau River.
Area MP Pierre Poilievre said he is determined to see the project completed in a timely manner.
In a statement he said the Harper government will continue to work in cooperation with the city to get the job done.
“We both share the goal of a new bridge to connect south-end communities as soon as possible.”
The company contracted to build the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge is in receivership, the city has learned.
In a statement issued on March 20, the city said this was the result of actions by creditors in recent days.
According to the release, the city plans to work with the courts and receiver to ensure the protection of the interests of the residents of Ottawa.
The Bolton, Ont.-based contractor beat out four rival companies in 2010 to build the eight-lane Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge across the Rideau River linking the communities of Riverside South and Barrhaven.
When contacted by phone on Tuesday, the company said it wasn’t making a statement at the current time.
In 2010, the city and both provincial and federal levels of government set aside $48 million for the construction of the bridge.
According to the statement from the city, work on the bridge is estimated to be about 60 per cent complete and the city holds a performance bond of $23 million which should ensure the completion of the project.
Gloucester-South Nepean Coun. Steve Desroches said he was disappointed that the contractor was in receivership.
“This is very disappointing news and I share this with the community. It is difficult news given how far we have travelled,” said Desroches.
He however said that he is pleased that operations are currently on-going.
“We have made tremendous progress on the bridge - we have completed Earl Armstrong Road, Strandhend Drive and we have approximately completed 60 percent of the bridge project.
He added that the bridge was a project that was pulled from the ashes after the cancellation of the North-South LRT contract.
“It has been a top priority for me since being elected and my focus will be on ensuring the project is completed and protecting the interest of taxpayers,” said Desroches.
Desroches promised to continue to work closely with city officials to ensure there is a good contingency plan in place, so if circumstances change the city is ready to move the project forward quickly.
“My priority is not to only ensure the bridge is completed in a timely manner, but also built safely and to the proper standards,” he said.
“I am relieved that we have some safeguards in place to continue to operate.”
The project is being paid for by the three levels of government and the completion date was late 2012.
Desroches said the goal was to have the bridge structure moved over to the Rideau River this coming summer.
Lisa MacLeod, MPP for Nepean Carleton said she was surprised and disappointed too.
“I am watching and hoping for the best,” said MacLeod.
“I am going to monitor the situation and I am going to be very hopeful.”
MacLeod said the bridge, when completed, will be beneficial to people who live on either side of the Rideau River.
Area MP Pierre Poilievre said he is determined to see the project completed in a timely manner.
In a statement he said the Harper government will continue to work in cooperation with the city to get the job done.
“We both share the goal of a new bridge to connect south-end communities as soon as possible.”
