There is a collective sigh of relief in the community with the recent announcement of provincial funds to rebuild the downtown St. David Street bridge in Fergus.
On April 1, provincial officials announced Centre Wellington’s Connecting Links funding application for the bridge was approved.
“I am delighted that Ontario’s new Connecting Links program will help strengthen our communities and make the highways and roads that carry our families and our economy safer,” said Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca in a press release.
“We listened to our municipal partners when designing this program, and know that by investing in infrastructure, we are helping to create jobs and improve your commute, which is further proof of our government’s commitment to making the quality of life better for Ontario families.”
The ministry’s provincial contribution for the rehabilitation of the St. David Street Bridge in Fergus will be $2,277,694 or 90% of the total construction cost of $2.53 million dollars.
In February, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced increased funding for the Connecting Links program. The province will provide $20 million in 2016-17, up from $15 million announced in the 2015 budget. Annual funding will increase to $30 million by 2018-19.
“This is wonderful News for Centre Wellington,” said Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton.
“This investment made through the Connecting Links program will help reconstruct a major transportation corridor (Highway 6) through downtown Fergus, (provide) safer roads for our families, stimulate the economy and create jobs.”
Linton added, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our MPP Ted Arnott (Wellington-Halton Hills) for his active support of the township’s request for project funding.”
“Arnott spoke to [Del Duca] following question period on Feb. 18, as well as writing a letter of support, following up on a resolution passed by our Centre Wellington council. He has been instrumental in helping us receive this funding.”
Centre Wellington director of infrastructure Colin Baker said, “This is quite an extensive project on a critical piece of infrastructure both to the community and to the provincial transportation network.
“The rehabilitation of the St. David Street bridge will include a replacement of the deck, traffic barriers, modification of the abutments, new waterproofing, paving, road approaches, drainage improvements and utility replacements.”
The next step will be to work with the Business Improvement Area (BIA) of Fergus, which includes local business owners. The goal is to ensure this process is seamless and that the community understands that business will be open and accessible as normal.
“We will provide a positive, collaborative process for residents, visitors and business owners,” Baker said.
“The township is coordinating with the County of Wellington to ensure that the St. David Street bridge in Fergus and the Metcalfe Street bridge in Elora will not be constructed in the same year to alleviate traffic concerns.”
Reconstruction of the St. David Street bridge will begin in 2018, with detail planning beginning later this year.
A detour route, communications plan and key construction phases will be provided well in advance of construction, officials say.
“This is great News,” Arnott said in a press release about the Connecting Links funding. “I want to thank the Ministry of Transportation for recognizing the need to partner with the Township of Centre Wellington on this project.”
Arnott said the St. David Street Bridge is in urgent need of replacement due to its age and deteriorating condition. He added the township had cautioned that if the bridge is not replaced in the next two to three years, it may have to place load restrictions on it.
“Mayor Kelly Linton, council, and staff deserve credit for their efforts to secure this funding,” Arnott said. “They put together a strong, thorough application and their work has paid off.”
Arnott noted the Connecting Link program was first established in the 1920s.
When the Liberal government abruptly cancelled it without consultation in 2013, members of the PC Party, including Arnott, repeatedly pushed the government to restore the program. Arnott raised the issue in the Legislature numerous times, specifically citing the need to replace St. David Street Bridge as an example of why the program needed to be restored. In April 2015, the government announced that it was reviving the program.
Arnott said the township expects reconstruction of the St. David Street Bridge to begin in 2018.
