RE: IE16.4: Congestion Management Plan 2023 - 2026 - Fall Update

September 26, 2024 Chair and Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee City of Toronto Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West Toronto, ON M5H 2N2 Submitted electronically RE: IE16.4: Congestion Management Plan 2023 - 2026 - Fall Update Dear Chair and Members of the Infrastructure and Environment Committee, The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) appreciate. [...] Lane closures are necessary for workers’ and residents’ safety While lane closures during construction may be seen as a nuisance for commuters and local businesses, they are crucial safety features in construction work zones, mandated by legislation to protect both workers and the public and allow space for essential equipment and waste disposal. [...] Expediting construction through flexible work hours Recognizing that the prevailing objective of these initiatives is to expedite the completion of project to vacate roadways and rights of way more quickly, we would encourage the City to be more flexible in terms of policies concerning construction hours of work, including 24/7 construction and extended hours of work. [...] Early Tendering and Faster Project Award By tendering and awarding capital projects—particularly linear infrastructure like road maintenance, sewer expansion, and bridges—in late Fall or early Winter for the following year, the City can maximize the number of working days within the construction season and will likely receive more competitive pricing. [...] Given the size and scope of project work in the City of Toronto, project managers should be able to approve change orders up to 5% of the contract value or $150,000 (whichever is the lesser).