Russell-based contractor to build Daly Overpass

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/12/2021 (1739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Daly Overpass replacement project has just turned another corner, with the announcement on Monday that the province has given the contract to a Westman-based company, Russell Redi-Mix Concrete. 

“It’s all been signed, sealed and delivered, and they will be starting on this bridge shortly,” said Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler, while standing just south of the Daly Overpass on 18th Street. “They will now have to marshal all of the resources. They will have to get everything in place. And they will have to be starting on it. They have a little bit of work left to do with CP Rail. As you know, this is the main line.” 

Manitoba Infrastructure posted a tender for the $90-million project in September, looking for a contractor for the majority of the work to replace the aging structure. 

The province was looking for a contractor to build a two-span bridge over Pacific Avenue and the nearby Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, a second two-span bridge in the same location for pedestrian traffic, a single-span bridge over McDonald and Stickney avenues, and demolish the existing bridge and roadworks. 

Schuler was joined on the ground toward the south end of the Daly Overpass yesterday by Brandon East MLA Len Isleifson as well as Mayor Rick Chrest, who called the news “fabulous.” 

“The thing I’d like to underscore is that there’s so much talk about COVID and health matters, which of course is very important, but it does show that our provincial government can walk and chew gum at the same time,” Chrest said in comments directed at Schuler. “We’re still focussing on COVID but on the other hand, other projects and infrastructure do have to carry on, and we’re really grateful that you found the resources to [move forward] on this.” 

Following the announcement, Schuler — who praised Brandon residents for their patience while the province moved the complex project ahead — told the Sun that Canadian Pacific Railway still had a few issues with the plan that it would like resolved, in order to protect the trains coming through. 

“This is a very important line for them,” Schuler said. “We haven’t gotten a final agreement with them. They still have some concerns. So, part of the contract was an indemnification to make sure nothing happened, and if there was, who would be responsible. I would suspect there would be a lot of conversations between the company and the rail line as they move forward.” 

In October, Manitoba Infrastructure told the Sun that it anticipates a deal should be hammered out with CP Rail by April 1, 2022.

Brandonites will likely see heavy construction work begin sometime in spring. The project is expected to be completed within three years.

The Sun contacted Russell Redi-Mix Concrete for comment on Monday afternoon, but did not receive a response by press time. 

» mgoerzen@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @MattGoerzen