More than $14 million worth of capital spending on bridges and culverts here is recommended over the next six to 10 years in a new bridge inspection report.
R.J. Burnside & Associates Limited (Burnside) presented the results of its 2014 inspection of the township’s 69 municipal bridges and culverts to council on Jan.27.
Although no new bridges were built, the number represents eight additional structures over three metres in span than in the 2012 report. Four additional structures were found during the rehabilitation of Concession 16 and four more were identified during the 2014 field inspections, the report said.
The report also identifies remedial needs in three classifications: routine maintenance, additional investigations and repairs and rehabilitations (capital works).
Township staff can carry out routine maintenance work in most cases, the report indicated. The total estimated value of maintenance work to be completed by the township is $178,700.
“We recommend that a general allowance to complete the works described above be included in the township’s annual road budget,” the report said.
Four structures have been identified as in need of further investigation on an “urgent” basis. The report indicates work should be undertaken to monitor crack widths, deformation, settlements and movements until the structures can be scheduled for replacement “or the structures have been classified as stable.” A total of nine structures have been identified as “normal” priority for additional load evaluations, deck condition surveys or monitoring.
The total estimated cost of the 13 additional investigations is $127,500.
Capital works projects identified in the report prioritized as needed within six to 10 years would cost an estimated $7,257,800. Costs for projects in the one- to five-year priority range are estimated at $4,279,000, and for projects prioritized within one year at $3,162,500.
Roadside safety needs include a general allowance for guide rail and/or end treatments at all bridge locations as may be required. The total estimated cost for road side safety is $2,635,000.
At its Feb. 10 meeting, council approved a staff recommendation to place load restrictions on four bridges on Sideroad 17. In a report to council, public works director Brad McRoberts noted the bridge inspection report recommends closure of the four bridges, “or if closure is not possible, instituting a reduced load limit of two tonnes for each structure until the structures can either be permanently closed or replaced.”
The complete bridge inspection report can be viewed in the public works section of the township’s website: www.mapleton.ca.
