Acciona Canada says it's owed $100 million after Metro Vancouver issues default notice on sewage plant

The company describes the regional government's move as regrettable and unnecessary

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      A large infrastructure company says it continues working on a wastewater treatment plant, despite a damning October 15 statement by the contractor, Metro Vancouver.

      Moreover, Acciona Canada maintained in a statement that it's owed $100 million by the regional government.

      "The action by Metro Vancouver to begin terminating the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant contract is regrettable, unnecessary, and certainly not in the longterm interests of Metro Vancouver residents or the environment," the company insisted.

      Metro Vancouver issued a notice of default, claiming that the infrastructure company had "consistently failed to meet its contractual obligations".

      The plant was originally estimated to cost $700 million but more recently, it's been pegged at $1.058 billion.

      "This project is already two and a half years behind schedule, and they’ve informed us that they require an additional two years," Metro Vancouver chief administrative officer Jerry Dobrovolny said in an October 15 statement. "They’ve also asked for an increase in budget which would almost double the original contract price.

      Acciona Canada, on the other hand, said that Metro Vancouver "knows that the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project has been fraught with unforeseen challenges from the outset".

      The company claimed that Metro Vancouver has asked for more than 1,000 major design changes and other alterations to the original contract.

      "We continue to meet with representatives from Metro Vancouver and remain committed to finding a resolution that will satisfy both parties and be in the best interests of the residents of the region," Acciona Canada stated.

      Last July, the B.C. government announced that the Acciona-Ghella Joint Venture would enter into final contract negotiations to develop the 5.7-kilometre extension of the Millennium Line from VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus Street.

      It's also a contractor on other large projects in B.C., including the Site C dam, Pattullo Bridge replacement, Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, and Fort St. John Hospital and Residential Care Facility.

      Acciona Canada's parent company is based in Spain. 

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