Skyrocketing costs for construction material are coming at the worst time for the City of Ottawa as the municipality prepares to take bids on the super library eyed for LeBreton Flats.

While staff at city hall are warning council about an increase in prices in the construction industry, they still intend to soon issue a request for proposals on building the joint Ottawa Public Library/Library and Archives Canada facility at 555 Albert St.

Simon Dupuis, the manager of design and construction for the project, said the main construction tender will be issued in the spring with a contract award and start of construction scheduled for fall. A design is expected to be finished in April.

“The project team continues to monitor the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and market pressures on the project’s budget and timelines,” Dupuis said in a response sent Monday through the city’s communications department.

“At this point in time, we are still planning a release of the main construction tender in the spring and are in ongoing discussions with the pre-qualified general contractors regarding overall schedule.”

EllisDon, PCL and Pomerleau have been prequalified to submit bids on the super library construction.

The city has estimated the project at $192.9 million, but the true cost isn’t certain until the bids come in.

The library tender will be issued at a time when managers in the local construction industry have voiced concerns about the rising prices of materials, especially steel, and insurance.

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