The regional public works department took emergency action to award a construction contract for repairs to a dangerously damaged bridge.

During the June 28 regular meeting, the Department of Public Works advised the United Counties of Prescott Russell (UCPR) council that it exercised the emergency purchase clause to award a construction contract without a budget or council’s approval.

In the fall of 2022, the Henri Seguin Bridge on County Road 9 between Plantagenet and St-Isidore suffered major damages due to a serious road accident. The structural bridge consultant recommended that repairs be carried out as soon as possible as the damage rendered the road and bridge dangerous, so HP Engineering was contracted to prepare plans to proceed with a tender process.

Since a portion of the bridge was considered dangerous, the Public Works Department requested an exemption under the emergency purchase clause to expedite the process and award a contract to the lowest compliant bidder, which in this case was Willis Kerr Contracting Ltd.

The repair and engineering work in the amount of approximately $196,000 plus tax will be added to the 2023 Public Works Operational Budget during later budget revisions.