The new cost of lighting the Bloor Viaduct in time for the Pan Am Games will cost an extra $1 million and still leave some parts of the bridge in the dark.
色色啦 city staff are requesting that the executive committee approve an increased budget, rising from $2.8 million to $3.8 million, at a meeting next week, after unforeseen costs significantly changed the scope of the project. Despite the budget boost, the revised proposal will exclude planned elements that would have illuminated the underside of the bridge.
Councillors are being asked to use money saved on another Pan Am capital project to cover the full $1 million more needed to complete illumination of the 鈥 a series of lights to be installed on the viaduct鈥檚 long-built suicide barrier that can be programmed to change colour and patterns.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
鈥淐ouncil committed a certain amount of money for Pan Am capital improvements. There鈥檚 been savings on one project and we鈥檙e saying, take a portion of those savings and move them into this other project,鈥 said Tobias Novogrodsky, the city鈥檚 director of strategic planning and implementation for the Games.
The money will be redirected from savings in a project to resurface roads for cycling races during the Games, according to a report from staff. After a different route was selected for the races, and with resurfacing nearly complete, the city now estimates with 鈥渁 high degree of confidence鈥 that it will save $2.4 million on that project.
Mayor John Tory, speaking to reporters at a business event Friday, said he would like to see other more pressing projects receive funding.
鈥淚 still am troubled, and I鈥檒l put it no stronger than that, by instances where we spend money on these kinds of things 鈥 which are very nice to have 鈥攚hen we鈥檙e having discussions about our inability to pay for 鈥 whether it鈥檚 adequate homeless shelter, fixing pot holes 鈥 all kinds of things,鈥 he said.
The staff report also points out that the city has saved more than $18 million on 10 capital projects 鈥 six of which are already finished and the rest nearing completion with no anticipated overruns, Novogrodsky said.
The lighting was part of the original design for the suicide barrier when it was installed on the bridge in 2003. But a shortage of funds at that time left it dark.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
The city proposed to finish the project in time for the Games, arguing it would act as a showcase project and a prominent landmark for people travelling to the Games and watching video coverage.
Last year, staff estimated the total cost, which includes lighting up subway platform and bridge trusses, would be nearly $4.7 million.
But after the city opened the project for bids in October, all four bids received 鈥渟ignificantly exceeded鈥 that budget, staff say.
The city has now proposed to install lights above the bridge deck and scrap the light components underneath. The control system that鈥檚 installed will allow for eventual completion of the project if the money can be found.
Lighting up the underside of the bridge was originally estimated to cost $2.8 million alone. It鈥檚 not clear how much that would be now. One reason for unanticipated costs was the extra labour needed to install lights so close to the subway tracks.
It鈥檚 hoped the veil project will be finished in time for a torch relay celebration planned for July 4. If the executive committee approves the increase, it would be forwarded to council for final approval in February.
Jennifer Pagliaro is a 色色啦-based crime reporter for the
Star. Follow her on Twitter: .
To join the conversation set a first and last name in your user profile.
Sign in or register for free to join the Conversation