On Thursday March 15th, City of Victoria council will meet to discuss the escalating costs for the Johnson Street Bridge replacement project – (read the blog post). While staff have outlined three options, with a recommendation for the first – stay the course – there are many profound questions that require answering, and potentially other options to explore.
Is the Blue Bridge project coming apart?
Our message to Mayor Dean Fortin, and Victoria council is to ensure all questions surrounding costs, the project charter, oversight, the lifeline capacity of the bridge and more be answered completely to the satisfaction of council and stakeholders, before either one of the three staff options is accepted, or a better way forward is discovered.
That will take time. Staff will not be able to adequately respond to all council concerns and inquiries in the Thursday Governance and Priorities meeting – which we urge the public to attend (1:30pm at City Hall). All councillors should have an opportunity to participate and vote on this vital decision, one that could impact the funds available for other pressing projects around the city. As councillor Shellie Gudgeon is away until the first week of April, it seems pertinent to vote for either of the staff recommendations, or an emergent option, upon her return, allowing adequate time for public input and questions to be answered.
Councillors have asked for public input – your ideas, thoughts and concerns. You can email councillors@victoria.ca
Media Roundup
CBC Podcast with Ross Crockford, Director of JohnsonStreetBridge.org (Opens in a new window)
Mayor Dean Fortin on CFAX:
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CFAX Call in Show with Mat Wright, Director of JohnsonStreetBridge.org
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part two
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CHEK News Video : Times Colonist article
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It’s sad how the people of Victoria were led down the garden path. I still strongly believe more bad news is yet to come. I’m also not convinced that a rolling bascule will be as “faithfull” in our climate as what is currently being used. Let’s wait for the next line of BS from the “experts”.
Just reviewed CTV2′s Thursday night news and was astonished to discover the BC Liberals have taken credit for the 900 (possible) jobs, based on building the new Johnson Street Bridge !
Incredibly, there was the Minister of Sport & Oligarchy (again) saying they can claim the jobs increase, because the Federal Gas Tax grant was via a flow-through program administered by the BC Union of Municipalities … ?!
When will she get the message, the people of Victoria are not fooled by their unimpressive “No-Show” funding for a new Canary Wharf “copycat” bridge ?
The sheer political gall of this woman and her government are literally Unbelievable !!