Patching potholes is going to get easier next year, but it comes at a price.
Timmins council has given the go-ahead for staff to buy a Python 5000 pothole patcher. The price tag for the unit, which is being sole-sourced, is $563,673 plus HST.
When the semi-automated, one-person pothole filler was first pitched in December 2019, the cost was around $520,000.
Manager of Purchasing and Fleet Gord Deacon said early in 2020 the department was sidelined by the pandemic and the purchase was put on hold. He said they regrouped in October and feel they can go ahead with the purchase now.
Deacon said the lead time for the unit is about six months.
For health and safety, the staff report explains a pothole crew for the city currently has four to six staff "to ensure protection of the workers in traffic." It is made up of a lead truck and spotter, two to three labourers, and a blocker vehicle behind the labourers.
During peak pothole season in winter, the report says the city runs three to five crews every day. The rest of the year there are about two crews daily.
"This unit has the potential to free up three to five staff off of a pothole-patching crew, making them available to do other maintenance work. In addition, this unit keeps staff out of live traffic as the operator is protected inside of the cab of the machine," reads the report.
Staff have talked to people in Thunder Bay's roads department, where they have one of the units.
According to the staff report Thunder Bay "has found that the quality of patching is much better than traditional hand patches. They estimate that their cold mix patches last about four times longer than traditional application methods. In addition, they have found they can use the unit to fill longitudinal cracks and deal with road rutting in certain locations."
With the city's 2021 budget talks slated to start next week, Coun. Cory Robin suggested deferring the purchase.
“I would have to say, respectfully, that I don’t think anybody in the administration is gaming the budget situation. I don’t think they’re trying to buy something to fill out a line item on the budget. We’re not that type of organization,” said Mayor George Pirie, adding he wanted it to go ahead at the meeting.
Referring to quarterly statistics from Service Timmins, Coun. Kristin Murray noted there are a lot of calls for roads and maintenance.
She was supportive of the purchase based on the calls the city is receiving.
Coun. John Curley said the unit will be excellent for the city.
“There’s a savings that will come back to the city over a period of time, but I think this is a good move for the city as a whole to have this piece of equipment,” he said.
