Victoria has hired a new project manager to oversee the $92.8-million Johnson Street Bridge replacement project.
Ken Jarvela, an engineer with more than 30 years of experience, will start on Sept. 17.
Jarvela fills the job left vacant when former project manager Mike Lai announced in June he was returning to his former job as Saanich's manager of transportation.
Jarvela is said to have worked on several municipal projects, including bridges - most recently as project manager for the $160-million construction of the second span of the Blue Water Bridge, which crosses the St. Clair River between Point Edward, Ont., and Port Huron, Michigan.
Meanwhile, the city has extended the closing date for the request for proposals for the bridge construction contract by five weeks to Oct. 18.
The RFP process permits proponents to discuss potential design changes with the city in advance of their bids to help ensure the proposals are both under budget and consistent with the city's requirements.
The additional time is needed to allow these discussions to continue.
Three companies - PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc., Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. (Kiewit) and WCC Construction Canada, ULC (Walsh) - are taking part in the process.