An unforeseen tender price resulted in significant changes to a planned project for Barkman Avenue and Penner Street which were slated to get asphalt overlays this year.

While a consultant estimated the project would cost just over $3.2 million, the lowest of two tenders submitted by Maple Leaf Construction totaled $3.75 million, 21 percent higher than expected.

A second tender from Accurate HD Ltd. came in at nearly $4.18 million.

Council approved a modified plan presented by administration that reduced the total cost of the project, delayed other projects and saw more money released from reserves.

The motion reduces the project scope to exclude the Penner Street portion of the work, except the tie-ins to Barkman Avenue, reducing the project cost by $305,000.

A further $265,000 will be saved by delaying the force main component of a planned upgrade to Lift Station 2, which has not yet gone to tender.

A further $120,000 will be provided from the City’s Utility Reserve.

That allowed council to approve the revised project for $3.45 million.

Coun. Michael Zwaagstra made the motion to approve, saying they want the project to go ahead.

“Obviously our asphalt overlay construction program is very important, but we need to do it with some revisions,” he said.

“While it is unfortunate that the tender came in high, we do want to move ahead,” he added. “Our basic infrastructure remains important and so we need to make these revisions to make sure that we can go ahead with at least the majority of the project.”

Council supported the motion unanimously.