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City of Victoria Council to ask more questions, consider options for the the Blue Bridge
Johnson Street Bridge Victoria
In a somewhat surprising move City of Victoria council has not moved towards replacement or refurbishment, but have put more questions to staff, and granted an open time frame to consider options. On September 24th council decided to have a two week hiatus on any decision for some alternatives and specific answers from city staff – this after the expected outside funding for the planned replacement fell through. Today, Oct. 8th, the Governance and Priorities Committee was to review a new presentation from staff, and to decide on moving ahead with replacement, or re-considering refurbishment of the bridge. Instead – the presentation by Mike Lai and Peter Sparanese from the city engineering department provided some firmer costs ($25-30 million for refurbishment) and options such as not including a rail portion on a new design, which might save $15 million of the estimated $63 million replacement cost.
Councillors also noted the letter from johnsonstreetbridge.org – which contains notes, documents, alternatives and opinions from a variety of outside experts – on the options and benefits (such as potential cost savings) by refurbishing the existing Blue Bridge. Councillor Pam Madoff asked the letter be forwarded to relevant city staff for the questions and suggestions raised to be answered and considered the next time council meets to discuss the bridge – and when will that be?
Mayor Dean Fortin concluded the bridge portion of the meeting noting the CRD, Island Corridor Foundation, Downtown Victoria Business Association and Victoria Chamber of Commerce need to be consulted prior to council re-visiting any decision on the bridge. That will take some time – certainly longer than the two weeks to the next council meeting.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Eric Porcher. Eric Porcher said: Good. #yyj RT @matvic: Council seeks more time for Johnson Street Bridge Decision http://is.gd/45J38 [...]
It doesn’t seem right to spend $60 million of local taxpayer funds on what is a relatively short crossing at the Johnston Street bridge site (it’s not like this is a major bridge like the Golden Gate Bridge, etc). Some issues that need to be discussed:
1. Is there really a need for the train to cross?
2. There is very little public need for a drawbridge there. If the few businesses on the far side of the bridge need a drawbridge there, should they not be accountable for the incremental increase in cost? (ditto for any private users who wish to have a drawbridge there).
John
[...] informed there would be no stimulus funding for a Blue Bridge replacement, council has decided to seek further options and opinion from staff, the CRD and other interested groups. Our letter outlined concerns, options [...]
It may be worthwhile to review the feasibility studies that underpin the priority for the bridge renewal ahead of job creation, education, workforce upgrading. incentives for new industries, training, promotion of Victoria as a source of trained labour etc. It could well be that, with a depression coming, ( in spite of our airheads “wishing” it would go away ) something more than a “bridge out of a hat” is required.
Robert,
That is profound insight into the entire concept behind the ‘stimulus’ funds. Yes, most projects across Canada will result in jobs, mostly in the short term, but will do little to create any new employment and training opportunities. A Bridge does does not offer any long term employment – unlike building libraries, hospitals, schools or harbour expansions.