Polson Greenway gets the red light

A controversial road improvement won't be seen to completion this year after an unexpected rise in cost.

Infrastructure engineer Mark Dowhaniuk told council Monday the tender pricing for the Polson Greenway project had come in higher than the given budget.

Upgrades to 29 and 30 streets between 41 and 43 avenues had an approved budget of  $1 million. Based on nine tender packages received by staff, Dowhaniuk said the cost would be more like $1.5 million, and recommended the project be deferred until next year.

For coun. Bob Spiers, this is good news. He's described the project as "cosmetic" and says he'll continue to fight against it in years to come.

Mayor Rob Sawatzky believes the Polson Greenway, which is intended to establish a north-south transportation corridor with improved utilities, walking and biking lanes, isn't off the books just yet.

"The cost came in too high," he said. "Our engineering and administration are being fiscally responsible."

He said staff have done a good job estimating costs for other projects, and has faith they will succeed in seeing the project through next year.

"It is a high priority, because of the state of the sewer," Sawatzky said. "We'll have to deal with it at some point."

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.