The City of Victoria and the design and construction companies building the new Johnson Street Bridge have agreed on a Vancouver mediator to settle a dispute concerning cost overruns totalling more than $10 million.
Stuart Hankinson is a partner with Shapiro, Hankinson, Knutson, a large firm that specializes in construction law. The rate is $575 to $625 per hour, with costs shared equally among all parties.
“All parties are meeting within the week to outline the process and dates,” said city spokeswoman Katie Hamilton.
Total cost of the bridge has been projected at $92.8 million.
PCL Construction said it needs $7.9 million more than the $62.9 million budgeted for its work, plus an additional 51Ú2 months to complete the work.
Design consultant MMM Group and sub-consultant Hardesty Hanover are asking for $840,000 more, and have identified about $1.55 million in costs they say are beyond their contracted commitments.
The city has not agreed to these requests, hence the mediation, which was first announced by the city on Sept. 30.
