Managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker remains hopeful Centre Wellington will receive funding for the replacement of the St. David Street bridge in Fergus.
Without such funding or a replacement in the near future, load restrictions on the Highway 6 bridge may be needed in two to three years, Baker explained in a recent report to council.
He outlined the provincial Connecting Links Program and how it may apply to the St. David Street bridge superstructure replacement.
In 2013, the province ended the Connecting Link program that funded capital work for municipal roads that connect communities to provincial highways and border crossings – including Highway 6 through Fergus.
“The township of Centre Wellington, along with many other Connecting Link municipalities, lobbied the province to have this program reinstated,” said Baker.
In November, Ontario launched a new $15 million annual Connecting Links Program to help municipalities pay for construction and repair costs for connecting links.
Across Ontario, there are 352 kilometres of connecting links, including 70 bridges in 77 municipalities.
Baker stated the Ministry of Transportation will provide Connecting Links funding for a range of capital projects such as bridge replacement, pavement rehabilitation, storm sewer construction and intersection improvements.
Such projects could be funded up to 90 per cent, to a maximum of $3 million of eligible project costs.
Baker said the St. David Street bridge is rapidly deteriorating. Built in 1968, the pre-stressed concrete girder structure is reaching the end of its service life, he said.
Baker also said the township’s bridge engineer expects a load restriction on the St. David Street bridge will be required within two to three years based on recent inspections.
He told council such a load restriction would negatively impact the regional transportation network as well as local businesses and industries that rely on the transportation of goods and services through Fergus.
Transport Minister Steven Del Duca has indicated municipalities will be notified of funding decisions by the end of March, Baker said, adding, “We certainly have a high-priority need with this bridge.”
The township has submitted some fairly detailed information in support of that application, Baker said. He estimated the application and documentation is 500 to 600 pages long.
Noting the potential funding will cover up to 90% eligible costs, Mayor Kelly Linton asked, “Is that what we applied for?”
“Certainly,” Baker said.
He noted the potential 90% funding is up to a maximum of $3-million.
The full replacement cost of the St. David Street bridge is estimated at $2.8-million, he said.
Linton asked if the application is denied by the province, could the request be flipped to the federal government?
“We could certainly try,” Baker said.
He added the Fergus bridge is the township’s highest priority and he believes the township presented a strong case to the province.
“We will apply to whatever program we can to get this bridge replaced,” said Baker.
His report stated that if the township’s application is successful, an environmental assessment, including public and agency consultation, would be initiated this spring. Detail design of the bridge and preparation of contract documents would occur through 2017, with the construction contract tendered in the fall of 2017 and construction commencing early in 2018.
Baker clarified the amount which would qualify for the Connecting Links funding program is $2.6 million, including the non-refundable portion of HST, engineering, inspection and contingencies. The provincial funding (90%) would be $2.2 million.
Baker added the township has discussed the application with officials from Wellington County, who agreed that if the township is successful with the funding application and proceeds the St. David St. bridge project in 2018, the county would delay construction of the Metcalfe Street (Badley) bridge in Elora until 2019.
Baker noted the county was recently denied funding under the Small Communities Fund for the Metcalfe Street (Badley) bridge and therefore it makes good financial sense to take advantage of the Connecting Links funding if approved.
Councillor Mary Lloyd commented that late last year, Centre Wellington was turned down for funding on another section of St. David Street.
“What’s different about this?” Lloyd asked.
Baker said the province has recognized that connecting links are unique pieces of infrastructure in the province – “They are part of the regional transportation network.”
Updated traffic counts in 2015 indicate traffic flows of 14,200 vehicles per day on the Fergus bridge.
Baker stressed that number relates to weekdays, and does not account for higher volumes for special events or long weekends.
