Return to Written Question 6-14(2) asked by Mr. Miltenberger to the Minister of Transportation.
On February 28, 2000, the Member for Thebacha submitted a written question asking me to give the initial project estimate, actual costs to date, projected costs to completion and the primary contractor for all of the Department of Transportation's capital projects over $5,000 for the fiscal years 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-2000 to date.
Although the Member's written question might seem clear and direct enough, in actual fact, the answer to the question is much more complicated than it appears.
The total cost of a capital project includes the department's in-house direct expenditures, plus a series of separately tendered contracts for the consulting, design, material and equipment supply and construction phases of the project. Each of these contracts has its own estimated and award amounts. From initial planning and design to final construction and warranty work, capital projects routinely span several fiscal years from start to finish.
I have provided the Member with a summary of 16 capital projects, valued at more than $500,000, that the Department of Transportation delivered during the three specified fiscal years.
Thirteen departmental staff were involved in compiling the data for this summary for an estimated total of 60 person-hours or eight person-days. Compiling the data for all capital expenditures greater than $5,000 over the period of three fiscal years would have required a formidable and lengthy deployment of departmental resources.
Under separate cover, the department will provide the Member with its annual Contract Report for the three fiscal years 1997-98, 1999-99 and 1999-2000 to date.
If the Member wishes to inquire about specific capital projects, I will be pleased to answer them.