Council weigh options regarding bridge work

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Stacey Roy

EMC News - Councillors are waiting to see if a traffic study coupled with other information reports will be able to hold up the Confederation bridge in light of other necessary and costly bridge repairs needing to be done in town.

Elaine Mallory, director of administrative and planning services presented a report Jan. 23 created by Greer Falloway Group Inc. on several of the town's 10 vehicular or pedestrian bridges. The town is required under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act to review its bridge systems every two years.

Highlighting this year's report was the fate of Confederation Bridge, which has been identified as needing some work done to allow it to continue in operation.

"It remains in very severe condition," Mallory noted.

The engineer's report states there is severe corrosion issues with the structure and that the existing superstructure can't be rehabilitated in a cost effective manner.

OPTIONS PRESENTED FOR BRIDGE FATE

The options facing councillors this week were to either repair the existing bridge for $166,050, which will give it another five years of life until further study can be done, rehabilitate the bridge for approximately $1.7 million or replace the structure entirely, which could cost between $2.5 - $4 million. The other option is to close down the bridge at a cost of $75,000-$200,000.

Councillor Ken Graham felt these figures were "grossly underestimated" and asked staff if a traffic study was being done to assess the usage of the road and if cost estimates have been gathered to transform the bridge into a pedestrian/bicycle only route.

"I think people would certainly find a way around town if it wasn't there," councillor Graham said.

Mallory did confirm that a company is currently undertaking a traffic study of the bridge with this completed work to be presented to council within the next month to month-and-a-half.

Councillors opted to wait for this report to be tabled before moving forward on further discussions about the bridge's future. That being said, town staff will upgrade the handrails at the bridge when the weather allows for it.

Staff's report noted a handful of pedestrian bridge priorities councillors will want to consider. Urgent items needing action include the North bridge where erosion, exposed rebar and a collapsed masonry wall need to be addressed. The South bridge, which was identified during the spillway project, must have its abutments addressed in the short term, while the central bridge has erosion at the base wall and abutments that have collapsed. Another bridge needing some care is the Beckwith Street stone arch bridge where the northern abutment wall is needing repairs. Staff provided 2009 estimates on some of these projects, but are seeking updated numbers for future discussion. Councillors received staff's report this week and will bring it back to committee for further discussion.

sroy@perfprint.ca