LAURIE WEIR
Smiths Falls council got a jolt of sticker shock on Monday night as updated costs for the Confederation Bridge replacement came in nearly $158,000 over budget — thanks to an ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war and a push for enhanced lighting.
During the May 5 committee of the whole meeting, Director of Public Works and Utilities Paul McMunn broke the news.
“When we originally budgeted for this project, we didn’t anticipate these tariff-related increases,” McMunn said. “StructureCraft had planned to ship Canadian Alaskan Yellow Cedar to a U.S. glulam (glue-laminated timber) manufacturer — but that would now trigger a double hit: tariffs going out, and tariffs coming back in.”
To avoid the cross-border squeeze, the wood will now be processed domestically, adding $42,152 in unforeseen costs. Steel price volatility has tacked on another projected $35,000.
The third and most debated cost driver? Council’s desire to include recessed arch lighting — a feature not originally in the budget but expected to elevate the bridge’s visual appeal. That upgrade would cost $81,400, bringing the total overage to $158,552 (plus HST).
While under-rail lighting is included in the base bridge design, McMunn said the additional lighting “presents a whole different experience,” especially from a distance or while driving.
“It’s either we go with the increase or we go without the bridge,” Coun. Dawn Quinn said. “And I’m not saying we don’t do the bridge. I’m just saying this is what happened — we didn’t expect all these things.”
Photo credit: Laurie Weir.
Council appeared broadly supportive of moving forward, particularly with $495,000 in federal funding received from Natural Resources Canada through the Green Construction through Wood Program.
“We’re building an experience here,” Mayor Shawn Pankow said. “It’s something that’s going to be in our community for hopefully the next 100 years. Having the lighting is going to create a much more positive experience.”
Coun. Steve Robinson didn’t mince words: “Nobody likes a half-ass job. If we’re doing this, let’s do it right.”
Coun. Chris McGuire agreed, calling the all-Canadian manufacturing approach “good value.”
The lighting feature must still receive approval from Parks Canada, as it requires a basic impact assessment now in preparation. Council agreed to proceed with the changes, pending that sign-off.
Meanwhile, hydro work for the temporary aerial crossing — at a cost of roughly $100,000 — is nearly complete. The final switchover is expected this week. Shovels are anticipated to hit the ground by mid-June.
Budget Breakdown
The overall gross budget for the Confederation Bridge replacement is now $2,260,345.52, including a net HST of 1.76 per cent. The town’s original budget was $2,099,003. Staff are recommending the $158,552 overage (plus HST) be covered by the town’s property tax-based reserve.
The committee approved the overage in principle, which was formally passed by council.
