The planned ribbon cutting marking the completion of the Third Street Bridge project this Friday has been postponed because pedestrian safety railings have not arrived on site, Municipal officials say.
Aldo Paganelli, President of Toronto Zenith Contracting Limited (the General Contractor of the project), said on Tuesday the railings (one of the last remaining elements of the project) have not been completed by the firm contracted to fabricate the rail.
“This is very rare for this fabricator,” Paganelli said, in a media release.
“We work with trusted, professional companies. We are extremely disappointed and as President of Toronto Zenith, the responsibility ultimately lies with me. I apologize to the citizens of Chatham-Kent. We will make this situation right.”
Paganelli said his firm is still investigating the issue and he is not willing to guarantee a new completion date until more information is available.
The railings in question go along the outside edges of the bridge providing pedestrian and vehicular safety, Municipal officials say.
These are also the railings that will contain the new LED light (strips) within to shine onto the sidewalks as planned.
Without these railings the bridge cannot accommodate the public due to safety concerns as the provincial Ministry of Labour will continue to consider the bridge as an active construction site.
Chris Thibert, Chatham-Kent’s Director, of Engineering, said Toronto Zenith has been a model firm to work with throughout the project.
Toronto Zenith wasn’t made aware of any issue with the railings until the delivery dates were not being met.
“The railings were supposed to be delivered to the site early last week at the latest and installed just in time for this event this Friday,” he said, in a media release.
“They were committed to working diligently to get this done on time and open the bridge.”
Thibert said penalties associated with the non-completion of the project will begin this Friday.
“It’ is unfortunate that Toronto Zenith was let down in this fashion, but we have a responsibility to Chatham-Kent taxpayers to ensure that contracts are fulfilled,” he said.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said he is deeply disappointed that the ribbon-cutting ceremony is delayed.
“Through supply chain issues caused by COVID, through unexpected labour disruptions and other issues, the project has continued,” he said, in a media release.
“We are going to have a beautiful bridge that will last decades. I’m sorry we have to wait a while to have it completed, but we don’t live in a perfect world.”
The Mayor urged citizens to attend the Saturday Bridgearama celebration being organized by the Historic Chatham Downtown BIA.
“The organizers have put a lot of work into the event and it will be well worth the visit. There is a lot to see downtown.”
Bridgerama will begin Saturday, July 23 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature entertainment, sales, arts and crafts, and stories through to 7 p.m.
For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/bridgeramaday2022 and https://bridgeramaday2022.ca/updates.htm.
