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. [...]
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In a Christmas Eve email Geoff Young responded to the many letters he has received over the City of Victoria’s comparison of Johnson Street Bridge repair vs replacement numbers. The document “Johnson Street Bridge: By the Numbers” was published by the City of Victoria just prior to the December 10th Council meeting – Article and Videos – during which Councillor Young introduced a motion to seek independent consultation on the current plans to replace the bridge. [...] On Thursday November 19th Council held a special meeting to discuss the Johnson Street Bridge borrowing bylaw, and choose to go ahead with voter approval through the Alternative Approval Process (counter petition) or referendum. In the end the vote, as expected, was for counter petition. [...] Mr. Nelson was invited to Victoria to inform the public through media interviews, an open public meeting, and conversations with council members and stakeholders, that a refurbishment option for the bridge was as viable as replacement, and would save money in the short and long term. [...] There are a number of vital questions that must be answered by Minister Baird, the Mayor and Council in regards to this funding – some of which we expect will be covered at tomorrow’s announcement, but others which are vital to the future of the bridge. [...] 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. [...] The hundreds of comments today from numerous online forums are largely due to the Council meeting on the evening of the 24th. The videos are the highlights of deliberations and debate on the funding issue – with the summary of the public consultation process, and the final vote by council to choose the Rolling Bascule Bridge. [...] The Future – the next few days and weeks will answer many questions. Which design is the choice of Council and the community, and probably more importantly, will the federal and provincial funding come through. Will this project be solely funded by the taxpayers of Victoria, if so, should there not be a referendum? [...] It seems that the bridge project – at least the bridge replacement project – will only compound and amplify the city’s budgetary problems, and seriously weaken its ability to address previously stated goals, such as addressing social issues related to homelessness and housing affordability. At the same time, the city is considering dipping into its reserve fund to stem what looks like an inexorable rise in Victoria property taxes. [...] |
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