Paint contractor on ‘Big Lift Project’ informs HHB it plans to file for bankruptcy
Posted Jan 27, 2016 09:42:55 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Halifax Harbour Bridges has confirmed a subcontractor hired to do paint work on the Angus L. Macdonald has verbally informed them they will be filing for bankruptcy.
Jon Eppell, Chief Engineer of Halifax Harbour Bridges tells News 95.7 it’s unclear how the move by the B.C.-based Certified Coatings Specialists will impact the Big Lift Project.
The company was contracted by Cherubini Metal Works to perform painting duties for parts of the project, including painting deck segments before they arrived on-site, as well as some on-site painting.
Cherubini Metal Works is the fabricator on the project, who was hired by American Bridge Company. ABC has also sub-contracted CCS directly to do paint application and removal services on the bridge itself.
Effect on ‘The Big Lift’ unclear at this point
Eppell said ABC is currently trying to find a new contractor so delays on the project can be avoided.
“They’re working pretty diligently to take care of this … they want to make sure they come up with a solution so there is no disruption to the project timelines,” Eppell said.
No one from Certified Coatings Specialists was immediately available for comment on Wednesday morning, but an email to the president of the company, Byran Place, bounced back with the message “This email address is no longer being monitored.”
Cherubini Metal Works and American Bridge Company didn’t immediately respond to messages and phone calls for comment early Wednesday.
Chief Engineer: Bridge work slow-going
Eppell said the upgrades to the Macdonald Bridge aren’t where they would hope to be at this point, as the sixth deck segment is set to be installed this coming weekend, with the full 46 supposed expected to be completed by December.
“We’re making progress, we’re improving but until we get the segment replacement down to 10.5 hours, then we won’t be able to really have a very hard look at the schedule and predict where we’re going to end up,” Eppell said.
“There was some [flexibility] built into the schedule, so it’s a bit difficult at this stage to say how much of that we’ve eaten up versus whether we’re ahead or behind of what we anticipated.”
He said a few issues impacted the project very early on that were not anticipated, including equipment and procedural problems, and now that there past those issues, crews have been working at being quicker and quicker.
“It’s like conducting a symphony out there for the contractor to get this down to 10.5 [hours], and they’ve got to play it perfectly in order to get there,” said Eppell.
Project will not be rushed
Eppell said while delays are frustrating for everyone, they’re not about to begin rushing the project by doing work overnight through the week, at a risk to public safety.
“One of the key things for us is making sure the bridge is safe for the public to drive on before we re-open,” Eppell said.
“That’s why we’re not taking the risk of trying to do this overnight and we’re not trying … to force the contractor into overnights. We prefer to stay doing this on weekends so the bridge remains safe …. safety is a very big priority for us.”
