A big milestone has been reached for the Market Wharf and Market Square rehabilitation in Saint Andrews.

Council voted unanimously on Monday to move ahead with the hybrid infill and steel pile wharf option.

It was one of five options that were being considered by council and the community for the project.

“Although it is nearly $2 million more expensive than the infill berm option, the steel piles will likely have the least impact on currents, and therefore be less likely to increase the sedimentation along the waterfront,” said Coun. Kurt Gumushel.

The estimated price tag is just over $7.8 million, with the town covering about $2 million of that. The rest is expected to come from the provincial and federal governments.

Other options being considered by council and community members included:

• Repairing the existing timber approach structure and adding a partial raised rock infill for Market Square – $5.37 million
• Replacing the existing approach structure with a raised rock infill – $6.06 million
• Replacing the existing approach structure with a steel pile and concrete wharf structure – $8.2 million
• Replacing the existing approach structure with concrete caissons and girders – $7.88 million

As part of the project, the wharf approach will be raised to account for future sea level rise.

Councillors received input from the community through a series of public meetings last fall, as well as a town-wide survey.

“The public had suggested that this is the [option] they wanted,” said Coun. Lee Heenan. “I look at it and I think, we’ve done what council has wished, we’ve done what the public has wished.”

CBCL Engineering will now come up with the detailed design, which is expected to take four to five months, and council hopes to award the tender in spring.

It is anticipated that construction will begin in the fall and take approximately seven months.