Prince Rupert city council has awarded a contract worth nearly $1.3 million to an Alberta-based construction firm to handle new sidewalk, curb, and gutter work across the community. The decision, finalized during the March 23, 2026, council meeting, is part of a larger push to finish surface restoration following recent underground utility upgrades.
The contract for $1,292,931.21 was awarded to Zulu Aggregates Inc. The work is a necessary follow-up to the city’s Big Infrastructure Gap Project, a $193 million initiative focused on replacing aging water and sewer lines. The project includes approximately 1,900 linear metres of curb and gutter and 1,350 square metres of sidewalk, with construction planned for areas including 9th Avenue West, Alfred Street, Frederick Street, and Prince Rupert Boulevard.
City officials selected the Alberta company after comparing bids submitted through a public process. The only other compliant bid came from Broadwater Industries Ltd., a local company established in 1973, which proposed a cost of $1,615,200. This created a difference of approximately $322,269 between the two offers.
According to the city, opting for direct procurement is expected to avoid about 15 per cent in contractor markup costs. Officials stated that this approach is intended to provide meaningful savings for the municipal budget. The city is currently managing its largest year of infrastructure work in history, with $55 million in construction planned across the city for 2026.
