Public infrastructure projects often start with a ceremonial sod-turning. The second ritual is the announcement that the uncompleted project is already over budget.
So it is with the Capital Regional District’s $765-million sewage-treatment project. Last week, Don Fairbairn, chairman of the sewage-treatment project, told CRD directors: “We are feeling concerned that there is a likelihood that we will not be able to deliver the program within the control budget.”
Although cries of “I told you so” echo through the streets, only the most inattentive resident of Greater Victoria could be surprised.
Fingers quickly pointed at Victoria’s massively over-budget Blue Bridge, but that was spawned by the city, rather than the regional district. It’s true that many of the same players were involved, but the circumstances are different. Unlike the bridge, the sewage project was ordered by the provincial and federal governments. The region had to jump — and it has a tight deadline, which usually plays havoc with costs.
The district blames the rising cost of materials and labour that are burdening construction projects in the private as well as the public sector. It is bringing in consultants and engineers to help wrestle the costs under control, and it is identifying if some parts of the project could be dropped to save money.
Both are prudent strategies because the federal and provincial government shares of the cost are fixed. Any overruns will have to be covered right here at home — by local taxpayers.
