The elected officials of Rivière-du-Loup awarded two separate contracts to the company Construction BML, Sintra division, this Monday, July 3, during the last meeting of the municipal council before the summer holidays. In this way, the repair of the airport’s runway and taxiway as well as the municipal paving work can be advanced.
On the one hand, the Rivière-du-Loup local councils confirmed the award of a US$5.3 million contract (including taxes) for the modernization of the taxiway, airstrip and tarmac. A major but necessary project for Rivière-du-Loup Airport, whose infrastructure is now over 60 years old.
The asphalt is currently damaged and has reached the end of its useful life. Chunks of concrete come loose and could pose a hazard to planes and pilots.
The town of Rivière-du-Loup estimates that after construction is scheduled to begin in late August or early September, several weeks of work will be required to complete the site. Mayor Mario Bastille was unable to confirm at a press conference on Monday whether the airport would have to be completely closed.
“Users have been hit. They were glad it didn’t happen in July when it was more widely used. In an emergency there are options. We may also have to close completely for a short time, ”supported Mario Bastille on Monday.
“The good news is that we are within budget. Thorough work has been done. Maybe we can do even more internally.”
The large-scale work will complement work carried out at the airport in recent years. Clearing (of cleared areas) and leveling of the site was carried out in 2021-2022. In total, the project will require investments of around US$8 million.
However, the city will benefit from significant financial support. The Government of Quebec announced in June 2019 that the project is eligible for a financial contribution of 75% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of US$5,995,020 under the Quebec Regional Airport Infrastructure Support Program.
PAVEMENT
In addition, the Rivière-du-Loup Municipal Council awarded a contract worth more than US$1.2 million (tax included) to Construction BML, a division of Sintra, for asphalt and paving work for the 2023 season.
Specifically, parts of Chemin des Raymond (between Alexandre and Gilles), Boulevard Armand-Thériault (near the hospital) and Boulevard de l’Hôtel-de-Ville will receive particular attention from workers. Machines will also be used in the coming weeks on Desjardins, Fraserville, Laval, Frontenac and Saint-André streets and at the Fraser-des Cèdres junction.
Other streets could also be targeted as the offer accepted by the elected officials turned out to be less than the money provided by the elected officials. The remaining sum will be used wisely to do more this season, the mayor assured.
“That’s good news. Now we will look with the technical team and make decisions. I think the identified streets will appeal to a lot of people,” said Mario Bastille.
In all, almost 10 small projects will be launched in the Rivière-du-Loup area. A situation that pleases Mr. Bastille. “We don’t make sidewalks or multifunctional paths. “We want to maximize the asphalt, so we will do it,” he added, recalling that some roads are in dire need of repairs.