Back in April 2009, the City said rehabilitating the bridge would need 12 days of full closure. Then it was “some” lane closures for an extra year, to minimize full closures. Then, this past June 14, the City’s engineers said rehab would require full closure for 12 months – a claim which has predictably scared some downtown businesses, and rallied them to favour replacement. [...]
|
|||||
|
I actually laughed out loud while reading the mailer I received from the City of Victoria entitled “The Future of the Johnson Street Bridge.” It was a political document pretending to be a call for public input. The publication is replete with threats and fear-mongering. “If nothing is done to address the Johnson Street Bridge within in the next two years it will face closure,” the city threatens. Write back to city council if you want, but you should know the decision’s already been made. [...] The City must receive responses by August 3. Please complete the City’s survey, and the supplementary survey, put them together in the same envelope, and get them in the mail right away! [...] Delay has nothing to do with the dramatic rise in costs, in fact according to the Vancouver Island Construction Association, labour and material costs have fallen 15-20% since 2008, and the strengthening Canadian Dollar means materials purchased in the US are cheaper. [...] Despite a spirited debate on including rail as the base refurbishment or replacement projects for the public to consider over the next six weeks, council has ratified a motion which excludes the rail option from the public engagement consideration – but they reserve the right to re-include a rail path if other funding is forthcoming by December 31st 2010 (well after the referendum) [...] What was not presented, or discussed, were the potential outcomes of any council decision in regard to a borrowing bylaw – which will be presented as a question in the November referendum. Most council members appear to be in favour of retaining rail for either option which means considering borrowing either $68 million for replacement, or $82 million for refurbishment [...] johnsonstreetbridge.org and concerned citizens felt it imperative to address council as this would be the final opportunity to speak directly to all City Councillors and the Mayor before a Blue Bridge report on June 14th, and a potential decision on refurbishment options on June 17th. [...] The City has rejected the possibility of two lanes based – on what? They have not published any document that conclusively proves it would result in ‘traffic chaos’. It is only through a thorough traffic analysis, AND an actual trial that can prove to City Council the viability of this option. [...] Victoria councillor John Luton and johnsonstreetbridge.org director Ross Crockford were on CFAX on June 8th morning, to discuss the feasibility of removing a car lane from the Johnson Street Bridge and using the space to create two bicycle lanes, as was detailed in a recent letter to Victoria’s mayor and council. Listen to the interview here: [...] A greater principle is also at stake here. Governments have a duty to thoroughly explore simpler, less-costly solutions to problems, before throwing millions of dollars at more expensive ones. Relying on a “quick” analysis that a cheaper solution won’t work is not acceptable. If the City is unwilling to try fixing obvious, existing problems, how can citizens believe that it will be able to successfully execute a far larger and more costly project? [...] |
|
||||
|
Copyright © 2010 Johnson Street Bridge Victoria BC - All Rights Reserved - Register Optimized by SEO Ultimate |
|||||
