City of Victoria Council seeks Blue Bridge Repair Options
While there was consensus at the meeting to move ahead with Option B, there was disagreement on what should be included in final reports to council. Debates revolved around the format and time frame of public engagement, the need for an economic impact study and peer reviews, the seismic standard for either choice – a 6.5 baseline standard or 8.5 lifeline, and if rail should be included. Most councillors continued to voice their preference for bridge replacement, with Councillor John Luton stating no rehabilitation option will satisfy his vision of a transportation future for Victoria.
Fed Funding available for Repair
Big Blue - Photo by Dennis Robinson
Denise Savoie, Victoria NDP MP, has confirmation from Federal Minister John Baird that the allocated $21 million originally provided for bridge replacement can be used to offset costs for a bridge repair.
The news was provided to NDP staff, volunteers and supporters last week, and reported in the Times Colonist on Saturday Feb. 6th. Bill Cleverley’s article notes that the actual correspondence between Denise Savoie and John Baird’s office has not been released.
In fact, while the grant under the Build Canada program is pegged at $21 million, or 1/3rd of the $63 million estimate for replacement, a new application to repair the Blue Bridge could result in up to 50% Federal funding. Council could also apply to the Provincial Government, and CRD for repair funding – or at least statements in principle. Full Article
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About johnsonstreetbridge.ORG
Created by Mat Wright, Ross Crockford, and Yule Heibel, this website about our city’s Johnson Street Bridge exists to provide a platform for information – and further conversation by you.
Although we hold disparate views on what should happen with the existing bridge, the three of us came together because of what we hold in common. We believe that our views and questions will resonate with stakeholders, which is why we invite you to explore this site and get informed.
What we hold in common are the following convictions:
- that the current process to move ahead with replacing the bridge is seriously flawed;
- that there are alternatives to this process;
- that Victorians deserve much more of a say about the process for a project of this scope.
The current estimate for replacing the Johnson Street Bridge is $63 million, but numbers are only the beginning.
There is much more at stake, and we hope that you will explore this site to learn how you can inform yourself and make your voice heard.
Now that you’ve stood on our welcome mat, please come in and explore our links!
We blog (and invite you to leave comments, please); we have a culture page, a media page, a poll where we invite you to vote, and a newsletter to which we invite you to subscribe. And we have lots of additional links from other websites for you to explore. Welcome, and click on!
How to Get Informed and Involved
Subscribe to our Newsletter, and to be informed on latest bridge news and opinion by email (use the email sign up form on the left sidebar)
Contact Us with your comments, opinions and suggestions. We welcome your feedback.
Online Social Media – help us spread the news! Follow on Twitter @johnsonstbridge ; Retweet the blogs and pages to #yyj – make this viral! Get your Facebook friends involved.
Clouds over the Bridge
Links
– Vibrant Victoria Discussion Board
- Vibrant Victoria Johnson Street Bridge – General Discussion
- Vibrant Victoria Johnson Street Bridge – Historical Discussion
- Vibrant Victoria Johnson Street Bridge – Technical Discussion
- Vibrant Victoria Johnson Street Bridge – Petition to Borrow Funds Discussion
Facebook Groups
City of Victoria
- City of Victoria Johnson Street Bridge Page
- Contact The City of Victoria Mayor and Council
Articles
- Yule Heibel’s - Focus Magazine Article – New Site Johnson Street Bridge DOT org – Reblogging the Conversation – Keeping the JSB – Blue Bridge Blues
- Times Colonist – Article List on the Johnson Street Bridge
- Black Press – Meet the Man at the Heart of the Bridge
Related Websites
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