Members of an area farming operation are unhappy about a decision to place load restrictions on four bridges along Sideroad 17.
Council approved a staff recommendation at its Feb. 10 meeting to place two tonne load restrictions on the bridges, located between Glen Allan and the 12th Line of Mapleton. An engineering inspection report had recommended the bridges be closed or restricted until they could either be permanently closed or replaced. The construction cost, not including engineering and other variables, of replacing the four bridges was estimated at about $1.75 million.
“We don’t understand why it has to cost so much to fix these bridges; why not put in a culvert?” asked a letter signed by seven representatives of De Vries Farms Ltd., including John De Vries who spoke for the group at the March 10 council meeting.
De Vries said it appears the township is looking at a “Cadillac” solution when only a “Mazda” might be needed.
The letter states the farm operation uses the Sideroad 17 bridges often during spring and fall seasons to move farm equipment and manure.
“Taking Sideroad 17 with manure tanks and other equipment saves us a lot of time, we also feel for safety reasons it is better to take the side road instead of bigger busier roads.”
Public works director Brad McRoberts said the bridge work is in the township’s proposed capital budget, but the decision to proceed will be up to council.
Mayor Neil Driscioll suggested it would be helpful “if we can find that ‘Mazda’ culvert to put in that will meet our needs.
“The worst thing we can do is budget $80,000 for a project and find out it’s a $320,000 fix,” he added.
Driscoll noted municipal bridges and culverts are subject to strict regulations, which add to the time and cost involved in such projects.
“If it was on your farm, you’d put it in on a Saturday,” he told DeVries.
Devries quipped that perhaps the township could just divert the road across his property, put in a culvert and “call it Sideroad 17.”
“And we’re not averse to private public partnerships whatsoever,” Driscoll responded.
