Cramahe Now

The Elgin Street bridge may be repaired sooner than expected if Cramahe Township gets grant money it is seeking.

Cramahe Council approved the decision to apply for a recently announced Infrastructure Stimulus Fund grant program.

Township CAO, Christie Alexander stated, “The Elgin Street Bridge was identified in our 5 year road study as needing major repair/rehabilitation but the work had not yet been scheduled due to lack of funds.”

In his April 21 report to Council, Public Works Director, Barry Thrasher wrote, “The Township of Cramahe has received a joint letter today from the Federal minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities and the Provincial Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure announcing the opening of intake two of the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund and launching the application process for the Infrastructure Stimulus fund.

The Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is aimed at getting shovels in the ground for infrastructure projects across Canada over the next two years. These funds are focused on the rehabilitation of existing assets, but new construction is eligible. All parties share one-third (Federal/Provincial/Municipal) of the total eligible project cost.

It is hoped that the funding will create jobs and provide much needed stimulus to the economy.”

Deadline for the application is May 1.

A report by the consulting firm G. D. Jewell Engineering in 2007 recommended the bridge be rehabilitated. The company has been asked to provide the township with an estimate of the costs.

To be eligible the project must not be one that was already in the township plans for the next two years.

In 2007, the Township of Cramahe had individual inspection reports completed for the major bridges within the Municipality including Mutton Bridge, Victoria Street Bridge and Elgin Street Bridge.

All were identified as being in serious need of repair. The rehabilitation of the Mutton Bridge was completed in 2008 with the assistance of COMRIF III funding and the Victoria Street Bridge rehabilitation is scheduled for completion in 2009 with the assistance of the Create Jobs Build Ontario funding.

The Elgin Street Bridge was identified through inspection as needing major rehabilitation/reconstruction for a number of reasons and was estimated to cost $365,000.00 in 2007 dollars.

Due to the major construction cost and the resulting impact on the Municipal Budget this work has not been scheduled for completion.

Mr. Thrasher stated in his report to Council, “However, with the availability of “Infrastructure Stimulus Fund” and the fact that a preliminary inspection by a qualified engineering firm has already been completed it is recommended that in the interest of public safety staff be authorized to apply for funding to complete this bridge rehabilitation/reconstruction as soon as possible.”

It was further recommended that G.D. Jewell Engineering cost estimate be based on the 2007 inspection requirements.