County Road 24 bridge delayed
Posted By Peggy Armstrong, Lindsay Post Reporter
Posted 8 months ago
KAWARTHA LAKES - A few more hurdles have appeared in getting the Kawartha Lakes Road 24 bridge rebuilt in Bobcaygeon.
Minister of the Environment John Gerretsen wants additional information from the city explaining how it came to the conclusion that 2.25 meters was the preferred height, a full examination of alternatives and to have a public meeting held.
In a letter, the minister noted that city council on a number of occasions told staff that the preferred height was three meters.
The good news, director of public works Ken Becking told council, is that a costly and lengthy environmental review, called a Part II order, will not have to be done.
Five people appealed to Gerretsen for a higher bridge, most of whom requested the Part II order. They were generally in favour of having a height of at least three meters for the new bridge.
The five were named in documents provided to council on Tuesday: Bobcaygeon residents Donna Howard, George Godwin, Edward Pierce, Jerry Hall and Ward 14 Coun. Ron Ashmore.
Council reversed itself in March on three meters when there was a significant outcry from Bobcaygeon residents, who wanted it built as quickly as possible. A change to three meters would have caused more costs and delays.
At the time, manager of engineering John Oostveen wrote a report that four requests were filed with the minister opposed to 2.25 meters, while about 300 letters were received in support of it.
On Tuesday, Mayor Ric McGee told council that in hindsight, he wished they had had the bridge repaired while going through the process of getting it rebuilt.
"If everything goes perfectly,” he asked Becking, "how long before people can drive over Little Bob?"
"Eighteen months," Becking replied.
Until Gerretsen sent his letter, the plan had been to begin construction by July 15. The city has to call a public meeting to provide the required information justifying its decision and fully examining all other options. The meeting can be held 20 days after it is called. It’s expected to be held next month.
Once all the information is public and the meeting is held, requests for Part II orders can be filed again. The minister then has 45 days to respond on whether he is satisfied with the process.
Council voted to go forward with the required steps. However, Ward 7 Pete Cziraky put forward a follow-up motion to set the height of a preferred alternative at three meters. The motion was seconded by Ashmore.
"This is unbelievable," said Ward 13 Coun. Pat Warren, whose ward includes the bridge. "I beg you, don't support this," she pleaded with councillors.
"No height is high enough for some people," she said in summary.
Cziraky's motion was lost 11 opposed and 6 in favour.
Ashmore sent a letter to Gerretsen "as a private citizen," he told The Lindsay Post. "I was quite concerned about public safety."
He said his letter, which was received by Gerretsen sometime between Feb. 15 and March 5, challenged the bridge height but did not specifically request a Part II order. However, he said he doesn't mind being "lumped in with those that did."
Ashmore said that the proposed bike lanes make the bridge about 40 feet wide, which he argues is very wide to go under at 2.25 meters. Asked whether anyone has been injured at the bridge's current height of less than two meters, he said, "there've been some close calls."
Ashmore said that as well as parts of Omemee, his ward includes about 300 Bobcaygeon addresses and boat rental operations. He was adamant that his action as a citizen has not had an impact on council's job to get the bridge built.
"It's not me that's holding the bridge up. It's bureaucracy," he said, arguing that the federal and provincial departments are working against each other. "The minister wants it looked at again." Becking noted on Tuesday that federal government departments are onside with the 2.25 meter height.
"I'm not a bureaucrat. People elect me and judge me as they see fit."
parmstrong@thepost.ca
