Centre Wellington council is trying to think outside the box when it comes to funding the rebuild of the Victoria Street bridge here.
On Dec. 14 councillors provided preliminary approval for the bridge replacement in the 2017 and 2018 capital forecasts.
Councillor Mary Lloyd said that in previous discussions she felt the Victoria Street pedestrian bridge was something that should have been included in the township’s disclosure of bridge projects the municipality intended to complete.
Lloyd said the bridge has not been talked about by council for some time.
“It sat on our 10-year budget but was never really placed anywhere. It’s floated here there and everywhere,” she quipped.
But when it suddenly appeared in the 2017 budget, “I was taken a bit aback, since it was presented as a given … that it must happen.”
Lloyd said, “when we are being transparent with our public, we should be very transparent about $1-million expenditures – along with an explanation as to why it is a necessity to our community.”
After giving the matter careful consideration and being told of the potential impact the Badley (Metcalfe) Bridge project will have on residents and businesses in downtown Elora, Lloyd said she supports the Victoria Street bridge replacement.
However, Lloyd wanted assurances the municipality will be get best prices “… and if there is any way to get a revenue generation from it … we need to investigate that.”
CAO Andy Goldie said it is staff’s intent to keep costs as low as possible.
“It is a very preliminary budget and there will be a consultation process with the community,” said Goldie.
Councillor Fred Morris said the whole question of the Victoria Street bridge is something that “I think all of council recognizes the economic viability of such a structure.”
Morris said he remains convinced staff needs to have discussions with the county about funding for the project.
“These two bridges are linked,” Morris maintained.
The proposed rebuild of the Victoria Street bridge is the result of the work proposed to replace the Badley bridge the following year.
“You cannot deny that. We are not building a pedestrian bridge just because we want a pedestrian bridge. We want the bridge because once traffic is cut off during the Badley bridge construction, there is no way for pedestrians to get from the south side to the north side of the community,” Morris said.
He stressed, “We need to press this point. If this is going to cost $1-million we need the county at the table.”
Mayor Kelly Linton said the Victoria Street bridge is not being done because the Badley bridge will be shut down.
“We’re doing it because we believe it needs to be done,” said Linton. However he added “We are doing it in the year proposed because of the challenge of the Badley bridge.”
Linton, who said he did discuss the matter with Wellington County Warden George Bridge, noted the county has committed to $4-million to replace the Badley Bridge, “which is significantly more than what it would typically spend on a bridge.” He added, “They see it as an investment in Centre Wellington.”
Linton said Warden Bridge indicated the county does not have an appetite at this time to invest more than $4 million.
Goldie noted staff-to-staff discussion was initiated some time ago and, “It was made very clear to us that the money for the Badley Bridge goes above and beyond the typical funding for similar structures in the county.”
Linton noted there are opportunities for revenue generation through a naming rights sponsorship for the pedestrian bridge.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said he never thought he’d agree to the rebuild of the Victoria Street bridge, “but it is based on economics at this point.”
At the same time, VanLeeuwen was concerned with the cost of the Badley bridge. He suggested consideration of a lower price and using the remaining funds for the Victoria Street bridge.
“We need some out-of-the-box thinking. I’m willing to put money aside for this project, but we need to think about what kind of bridge we are building.”
Initially councillor Stephen Kitras opposed the footbridge. However he said he was encouraged by preliminary designs and can now see the economic component. He agreed with Morris that the two bridge projects are linked.
