Cathy Dobson/The Independent

As Point Edward residents consider who to vote for, the biggest road redevelopment contract in the village’s history is raising a lot of questions.

Reconstruction of five large blocks of St. Clair Street that started in early spring 2024, was expected to last about a year and cost approximately $5.4 million.

But more than two years later, workers are still on the job and the top coat isn’t expected  to be finished until the end of October. Costs have escalated to at least $7.3 million.

The project has created traffic issues, as well as dust and noise headaches for residents along St. Clair. The first contractor to win the job was Inwood-based McNally Excavating, but work quickly got behind schedule when the Ministry of Labour shut the job down for traffic safety reasons a few months into Phase 1. 

McNally subsequently received at least 16 ministry orders.

By 2025, the village had terminated its contract with McNally and hired Cope Construction in Sarnia to redo some of McNally’s work and finish the job. While McNally was the lowest bidder for the contract, Cope was second-lowest.

MIG Engineeering, which was originally hired as project manager, withdrew in 2025 and later declared bankruptcy.

Reconstruction of St. Clair Street also generated numerous lawsuits that are before the courts.

Point Brewing, Sarnia Produce and Ironworks Health & Fitness Centre are seeking millions of dollars from the Village of Point Edward, citing a drastic loss of income during extended construction in front of their businesses.

“The project has presented challenges that businesses don’t usually have to face,” said Ironworks’ owner Jordy Bettridge. 

“At the same time, it’s added stress. This has gone on for a very long time,” he said. 

In addition, there’s a lawsuit against the village from a woman who fell near her driveway along the construction site.

“And the village has filed a suite against McNally looking to recoup extra costs the village had to pay to redo McNally’s work,” said Point Edward CAO Jim Burns.

Underground work including sewer and storm connections, as well as curb work that McNally completed, needed to be redone by Cope Construction, Burns said.

“The public has had to endure unfavourable conditions for an extended amount of time and no one is happy about that,” he said.  “We’re looking forward to tying this up at the end of October.”

Cope is currently working on St. Clair to address deficiencies found during a final inspection, Burns said.  “It’s warranty work. We aren’t paying for it,” he added. 

The final topcoat will be applied by Sev-Con Paving.

The Independent contacted the four incumbents who were on council during the St. Clair reconstruction and who are hoping to be re-elected. They were asked about the merits of the project and if council could have done anything differently.

Former mayor Bev Hand, who is now running for council, said the project was essential and also a huge undertaking for a small community.

“The tendering process is that the lowest bidder gets the contract unless there is some valid reason not to choose them,” Hand said.  In this case, that was McNally.”

MIG closed unexpectedly and McNally’s contract was terminated, leading to further delays that “resulted in lawsuits that are currently before the courts,” Hand said.

“We cannot provide a complete record of cost until the legal issues are resolved,” said Hand.  “It is important to recognize this point as nothing is being hidden.”

The completed project provides new underground infrastructure that will serve the village for many years, she added.  Speeding has been reduced on St. Clair by a narrower roadway with “bulb-outs.”

Hand said communication with residents “could have been stronger” and the new council will look at that.

Mayoral candidates Greg Grimes and Paul Burgess also weighed in.

Before the project began, Burgess said he hand-delivered notices about a public meeting to every house on St. Clair so residents could have input.

He said he spoke to village management and suggested a change in contractor.  “In this particular instance, I can’t say the tendering process served the village well,” said Burgess.  “However, we followed the process to the letter, we consulted engineers and our lawyer to dissect the tender submissions line by line.”

Burgess said that overall, he’s happy with the finished work, particularly because it is slowing traffic and provides new water lines that were badly needed.

Grimes said he regularly spoke to staff about the project’s progress, timelines, and concerns that residents were raising.

“When (residents) brought concerns or frustrations to me, I made a point of bringing those issues forward to staff and seeking answers,” Grimes said.  “I felt it was important that council hear what people were experiencing on the ground and that their concerns not get lost in the day-to-day management of such a large project.”

But he said “the day-to-day management of the project rests with the appropriate municipal staff and the professionals and contractors engaged by the village.

“My role was to ask questions, seek information, raise concerns and ensure that staff understood what I was hearing from the community, while respecting that distinction between governance and operations.”

Grimes said the tendering process needs review and that the experience and “demonstrated capability” of a contractor needs to be considered.

“I think the St.Clair Street experience provides an opportunity for the next council to undertake a comprehensive review of the village’s procurement policy and the lessons learned from this project,” said Grimes.

Arianna Noctor did not reply.

An all-candidates meeting will be held in Point Edward on Monday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m. at the community hall.