Something Old, Something New for Cottonwood Island Park

Monday, June 21, 2010 11:03 PM

Prince George, B.C.- The bridges in Cottonwood Island park which were destroyed during the ice jam/flood of the winter of 2007-’08 will be replaced.

The City has been notified that it qualifies for nearly half a million dollars in disaster assistance to cover damage in Cottonwood Island Park.

City staff want to use that money to put in new bridges that will connect the island with the south shore.

There will be three bridges built, they will be single span with no infrastructure in the channel that could hold up debris. The bridges will also:

• be installed at locations best suited for long term sustainability

• have a wider span

• be constructed at a higher elevation than the previous structures to meet flood plain requirements.

City staff have already been doing some work with a structural engineer (TDB Consultants) and local stakeholder groups to develop a bridge plan for the park.

The final plan calls for one single span bridge at either end of the island and a feature bridge in the centre. That feature bridge would be a replica of a span of the Cameron Street Bridge. "I see this as a complete waste of money, where's the heritage value in a replica?" asks Councilor Cameron Stolz.

Parks and Solid Waste Management Manager Aiden Kelly says the building of the replica won't cost any extra, the replica was part of the overall plan.

Councillor Stolz says knowing the construction of the replica won't cost any extra makes a difference and he joined his fellow Councillors in supporting the plan.

Although an actual span was saved when the Cameron Street bridge was replaced, that span carries with it some environmental issues as the wood is treated with creosote and could pose some environmental concerns with possible creosote seepage. It is the creosote issue that has prevented the actual span from being reconstructed on the Railway and Forestry museum property.

Detailed designs for the bridges are expected to be ready by the end of this month with actual on site work set to start in August and completed late September.

Telus has been a key contributor to the project. Telus has been donating $100 dollars for every person who signs up for Telus T.V., so far, that campaign has raised more than $70 thousand dollars and may total $90 thousand by the time the fundraising event wraps up in October.

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Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010 11:03 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: I.Heart.PG on June 22 2010 9:15 AM

I'm thrilled that the bridges are being replaced in the park. However, my question is what happened to the $200,000 that was budgeted for the dismantling of the bridge span and its move to another location? (http://www.opinion250.com/blog/view/15569) In a February 22nd article on this site (posted link) it indicated that $98,000 had already been spent on the dismantling of the span. Wasn't the original plan to use the span for Cottonwood Island Park and, if so, was the notion that it was soaked with creosote not taken into account prior to dedicating $200,000 to move it into the park?

Posted by: gus on June 22 2010 11:45 AM

"It is the creosote issue that has prevented the actual span from being reconstructed on the Railway and Forestry museum property."

I scratch my head as well when I read that. The creosote was there before they removed the bridge. These days environmental issues like that are well known and consultants as well as owners have a duty to act safely.

Why was this not known before that money was spent on more carefully removing that part of the bridge.

Posted by: gus on June 22 2010 11:50 AM

"replica" = a very close reproduction.

That will be interesting to see. I think it will take a magician to build a "replica" for no greater cost than a standard walking bridge.

I suspect it is misuse of a word. I would like to see those figures.

Posted by: Palopu on June 22 2010 7:02 PM

The creosote has always been in the timbers of the Cameron St. Bridge. So if you eliminated 3 spans and kept one for the park you still have reduced the amount of creosote going into the river.

Using the creosote as an excuse to not used the original spans is just more City Hall BS.

It appears that the replacing of these bridges was held up while the City suck holed with the Government for disaster releif money. Whats new?? The City spends most of its time mining Government Programs to get matching funds, and then uses our money as the match. Thats why our taxes for roads, garbage, sewer, etc go up each year, because the City is spending our money on stupid projects.

The Community Energy System is a case in point. This project defies all logic, and will eat up $7 Million in gas tax money that could go to roads, sewer, garbage, etc;, but will be peed away on a project to apply a third heating option to buildings ie; gas, electricity, and now hot water.

Total cost of project will be approx $15 Million and who knows if this includes tearing up the streets, and buildings, hauling away contaminated soil, etc; etc; etc;.

Problem is very few if any people in this backwoods town are even aware what is happening. They have been told that there will be a reduction in some emmissions, and they are running around like fools, clapping their hands, dancing, singing, while the City and thier co-horts skin them for $7 Million and change.

Have a nice day.

Posted by: Eagleone on June 22 2010 7:42 PM

I support my share of tax dollars going to investments into our parks and especially parks that highlight our natural advantage of being located on a river with fantastic hills surrounding our town. This should have been a given investment just to make the park whole again after the ice jam... I'd like to see more done for a Cranbrook Hill Crest trail and a connection to Otway from Moores Meadow....

Everyone has access to parks at no cost, it promotes health both physically and mentally, and there is never a closed sign on the park for shift workers.

Posted by: Palopu on June 22 2010 9:51 PM

I agree Eagleone, however try and get a significant amount of your tax dollar directed to Parks, or Roads, etc; Fat bloody chance.

The money always goes to Capital projects whether we want them or not. Just look at whats coming, or here.

1. River Road upgrade $8 Million
2. Boundry Road Cutoff $28 Million
3. Community Energy System $15 Million
4. New Police Station $48 Million
5. Performing Arts Centre $50 Million??
6. Wood Inovation Centre $40 Million??
7. Cameron St Bridge $10 Million.

Roughly $200 Million projected to be or spent in the next few years, with little or no return to taxpayers. Just think what we could do for our Roads, Sewers, Garbage, Parks, and tax reductions if we applied this money in other areas.

This is insane. We need some fiscal responsibility.