Bids to revitalize Halifax's Spring Garden Road come in over $10.4M budget

Streetscapeimprovements to Halifax's busy Spring Garden Road shopping district could be significantly more costly than anticipated.

All three bids for the work,submitted at the end of March,are over the budget of $10.4 million.

BryconConstruction came in with the lowest bid at$11.2 million.Dexter Constructionand Ocean Contractors put forward bids of $12.1 million and $13.1 million, respectively.

Coun. Waye Mason, who represents Halifax South Downtown, said the over-budgetbids are "unfortunate, but not entirely unexpected in COVID times."

Upgrades to Spring Garden Road have been talked about since 2009. The work includes making it safer for pedestrians to cross the street, creating more green spaces and addingamenities at bus stops.

Sue Uteck, the executive director of the Spring Garden Road Business Association, said shehopes council will find the money to ensure the project is not delayed.

Business owners are gearingup for disruptions to begin this May and a marketing campaign is planned.

"Spring Garden Road pays millions of dollars in taxes every year, and its day for revitalization is long overdue. Let's get it done," said Uteck.

A municipal spokesperson told CBC News in an email that staff are reviewing the bids, and it will be up to council to decide if extra funds are needed for the project.

Mason pointedout that Halifax has received extra gas tax money, as well as COVID relief funds.

"Now really is the time to do this work, not once economic recovery has really started next summer," said Mason. "I hope we'll go ahead with it.I think we will."