City fines companies for delayed road work, businesses impacted

WINNIPEG — Business was slow last year for Andrew Crump at Planet of Sound, he says due to road work outside his Henderson Highway business: work that should have been completed but wasn’t.

“Very frustrating they didn’t get it done,” said Crump.

Now the city says it will fine Borland Construction $1000 to $5000 for every day it takes to complete repairs to a stretch of Henderson Highway and finish replacing the sidewalk, work that was supposed to be done last November.

“This used to be nice and smooth and all one piece,” said Crump pointing to the entrance ramp into his business.

“It’s unacceptable,” said North Kildonan councillor Jeff Browaty, “It didn’t get done. The final lift of asphalt isn’t there so as a result there are still parts that are up and down, it’s just not good.”

Councillor Browaty says the area is riddled with temporary asphalt patches making for a bumpy ride for motorists.

Borland will also face a penalty for delays on work in the Polo Park area while J.C Paving Inc. is being penalized for not finishing work on several local streets in North Kildonan, according to information from a city spokesperson and public works documents.

Our phone calls to either company were not returned Monday.

“Maybe our penalties weren’t severe enough,” said Browaty, “maybe these companies bit off more than they can chew last year, we just have to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

The Manitoba Heavy Construction Association says many construction delays can be avoided if city hall would award the contract much earlier so crews can begin work as soon as the ground thaws.

“Awarding those quicker may avoid situations like the one we had here,” agreed Browaty.

Still, three stalled projects and more than 150 completed last year isn’t bad; and the city is looking into ways to speed up the process, though it’s too late for Crump.

“There were some days when we had nobody in the store.”