NEWS RELEASE

Council Agrees to Seek Extension and New Funding Plan for Washmill Lake Court Project

(January 25, 2011) - Regional Council this evening agreed to seek an extension under the Federal Government's Economic Action Plan for the Washmill Lake Court underpass, and directed staff to come back with a funding plan for the final phase of the road work.

Agreement was required to make the extension request for the three-level government stimulus project from the original completion date of March 31, 2011. All Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) projects were originally required to be completed by March 31, 2011 until the Federal Government extended that deadline to October 31, 2011 last December. To qualify for an extension, projects must have begun work and incurred eligible costs by March 31, 2011. A Council resolution that commits to finishing the project and accepting responsibility for cost over runs beyond Oct. 31, 2011 was also required.

The Washmill Lake Court Extension / Highway 102 underpass is being built to provide a third roadway to and from the Bayers Lake Business Park. Washmill Lake Drive, as it is to be renamed, will cross underneath highway 102 ultimately extending down to Northwest Arm Drive as well as providing a connection to Lacewood Drive via Regency Park Drive. The addition of a third entrance/exit is a prerequisite for continued development in the business park and to reduce traffic backlogs and congestion.

Council also agreed this evening to a budget increase of $994,137 to complete Phase 2 the project. The additional budget funding was approved to cover the cost of unexpected overruns such as the removal of pyritic slate.

Phase 1 began last spring and is complete. Phase 2, which included the bridge structures, gravels and asphalt for a detour road, is essentially complete. Staff has been instructed to bring forward a funding plan for Phase 3 of the project as part of future capital spending. The total cost of the project is now estimated at $16 to $18 million. A total of $6.7 million is supported through the ISF program.

The original estimate for the project was $10 million, with two-thirds funding of that amount approved under the ISF.

For details on the Council Report go to: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/110125ca81.pdf.

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Contact:

Deputy Mayor Jim Smith
490- 4692
229-8887 (cell)

Shaune MacKinlay
HRM Communications
490 - 6531