Unforeseen circumstances forced some changes to planned public works projects in the Prescott-Russell region.
Jérémie Bouchard, public works director for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) presented a revised schedule plan for the 2025 UCPR works budget to the eight mayors on UCPR council during their January 29 session.
“Due to unforeseen events, some projects and purchases weren`t completed before the end of 2024,” Bouchard stated in his report.
UCPR council approved both Bouchard`s report on revisions to the 2025 public works budget and plan. That included authorizing reserve funds to the budget to help with completing the unfinished projects.
One project Bouchard noted needs postponing to another year. That involves scheduled reconstruction of part of County Road 34, also known as Baseline Road, in the Clarence-Rockland area. The city has a water main installation project scheduled during that time and the UCPR reconstruction project will need to wait until the water main installation is finished.
Bouchard`s department will go ahead with negotiating purchase deals for some land in the Baseline Road neighbourhood that will be needed for when the reconstruction project does take place.
Projects that were not done in 2024 will receive priority scheduling during 2025. They include installing guiderails on the Little Rideau Creek Bridge on County Road 17 in East Hawkesbury Township, renovation work on two social housing residences in Hawkesbury that the UCPR manages.
The Embrun Bridge in Russell Township and the Paul-Émile Levesque Bridge in Casselman will receive high-priority on the 2025 works schedule because of necessary emergency repairs for each.
Recent inspections indicated the pedestrian sidewalk supports on the Embrun Bridge are in “very poor condition” and need immediate reconstruction to ensure public safety. Willis Kerr Contracting Ltd. was hired to do the work.
Some of the girders on the Paul-Émile Levesque Bridge need replacing. Temporary girder supports are needed in three places on the bridge to provide extra support while repair work is underway. ODS Marine, a specialist contractor, was hired to deal with the underwater work that will be part of the overall repair work. The UCPR public works department is also working with an engineering consultant on temporary safety measures to allow for heavy traffic on the bridge until the reconstruction work begins.
Design planning for the reconstruction is in process now. The actual reconstruction and rehabilitation work on the bridge may begin in 2026. The public works department will advise UCPR council whether or not closure of the bridge is necessary during the reconstruction work.
