Pipe woes in Dorval

"The delays will be taken into consideration," said Montreal spokesperson Darren Becker, adding that the council may choose to dock compensation from developer Aqua Rehab after it is done relining and cleaning up large, 16 inch water pipes on the underside of the street leading into Dorval off of Highway 20 West.

"We've never had problems with this contractor when they've worked with the city of Dorval," said Mayor Edgar Rouleau at a council meeting last month. Local resident Kenneth Watkins had raised the subject after he said he noticed some workers slacking off at the site.

"I think they should be called the 'aggravation council,' " said Watkins of Montreal's administrative body of councillors, when he found out that the contract was under the council's jurisdiction and not Dorval's.

Becker maintained that the situation was not created by Montreal, but by the contractor.

Several holes can be seen dug into both sides of Herron Street at different positions, and a pile of asphalt lines a grass embankment on Dumont Avenue, blocking off about a quarter of its right lane.

According to Becker, the project should be finished within a week.

Aqua Rehab specializes in helping municipalities deal with water infrastructure problems, according to its website. The company declined to comment.

Montreal's agglomeration council is mandated to deal with what Becker called "outdated water infrastructure […] all across the island." The City of Montreal has earmarked $542 million for water-related projects in 2008.