A consultant’s report suggests three Rossland retaining walls need to be replaced immediately.
The report by ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. looked at the condition of 11 walls in the city and estimated that repairing or replacing them could cost about $22 million over the next 10 to 20 years.
Three walls were found to be in “critical” condition, including a large one on Queen Street, below the Seven Summits Centre for Learning. The consultant noted several cracks in the concrete, and said one section has already failed and is at risk of collapse.
They recommended the wall either be replaced within one year, at a potential cost of $1.6 million, or strengthened with a tie-back system and extra reinforced concrete wall within one to two years. In the meantime, they recommended that pedestrian and vehicle access near the wall be restricted until the wall is replaced. For the moment, city staff are monitoring the wall bi-weekly for any movement.
Two other walls on McLeod Avenue are recommended for replacement at a combined estimated cost of $4.3 million. The public works department has issued a request for proposals for design and cost options for each of these walls.
The consultants further suggested adding guardrails to other walls and continuing annual assessments. The city’s inspections of its retaining walls, of which there are 38 overall, began in 2013.
Council received the retaining wall report last week along with other reports outlining the condition of the arena, Miners Hall, and public works yard.
Mayor Andy Morel said collectively the documents help demonstrate why the city initially proposed a tax hike this year of 10 per cent (although it was subsequently scaled back).
“To have those reports in hand does give the public some idea of the details of the deficit we’re in,” he said.
“We knew we were in substantial deficit and need to be investing in our infrastructure. That does mean tax increases to support that. Staff continue to be diligent looking for grant opportunities and without that information, you wouldn’t even be in consideration for the grants. To have that information puts us in a much better position.”
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