PUSLINCH – Good news came to Puslinsh Township in mid-March when the federal and provincial governments announced they will help fund the Moyer Bridge reconstruction project.
“This is really good news for Puslinch,” said Mayor James Seeley in an interview.
The township learned on March 19 that the federal government will contribute up to 50 per cent of the cost and the province will cover 33%, leaving the balance to the township.
Seeley said the total cost is about $1 million and with this support, the township will be out-of-pocket about $100,000 rather than the full amount. He noted upper-tier support is critical to getting the bridge and Concession 7 open to traffic again.
“This reconstruction and the costs associated with it are specifically for the aggregate industry,” he said, adding there are a few residential properties on the road, but it is a main route for aggregate haulers.
Seeley said there’s a hole in the bridge and it has been closed to traffic for about six months. Initial projections had the work completed in six to eight months.
“I would guess it could take a year now,” Seeley said, acknowledging that with the province, county and municipality declaring states of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the project could take longer than expected.
But the design work has started, and the contract awarded. The project will need environmental approvals from the Grand River Conservation Authority as the bridge crosses Aberfoyle Creek and falls within the conservation authority’s jurisdiction.
On April 3 Premier Doug Ford announced he’s tightening restrictions in the construction industry. Only hospital construction projects, vital road, bridge and infrastructure projects, and developments at critical stages of construction, can continue working.
It’s believed that means this project, and one announced in Erin through the same infrastructure funding partnership, will be able to proceed, although the message from the Minister of Infrastructure did note funders “reserve the right, upon short notice, to change the terms and conditions … or to cancel the Rural and Northern funding stream and/or the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.”
