Bridges and Budgets: One Man's Opinion

Friday, September 29, 2006 03:48 AM

Just what is the scoop with the Cameron St Bridge?

Each week we are treated to yet another spin on the issue.

The original plan was to build a new structure at a cost of $22.4 million dollars, that remember is yesterday’s dollars. Just as the Fraser crossing has come in $15 million over budget, don’t hold your breath that things will be different on the Cameron St.

But why the wait in all this? Well could it be that the capital plan calls for the new bridge in the capital plan of 2008? That would give us a bridge in 2009 if we are very lucky.

Or we could move the project ahead now and build a two lane on the existing peers for around $9 million, or build a single lane bridge for about $ 4 million according to bridge experts.

So where do we sit? Well we will need to find some more money for the bridge pushing our debt up higher yet. We have no guarantee that the two senior levels of government will come clean for some money for a new project. Even if they did offer up some cash for a new two laner with all the bells and whistles, the City's tab would still be about $8 million, if we were very ,very lucky.

Or we could try and shake some money loose on the $9 million dollar option that would cost us $3 million but for some reason we keep dragging our heels on this one.

Or we can simply replace the old bridge with a metal single lane for about $4 million and call it a day.

The second and third option give us an access to the core and to the mills in the area. They also give us a by pass, but for some reason, none of those reasons have made the grade and they are unlikely to until a major accident occurs at 5th and Central . When that happens, the issue will become front and center.

I’m Meisner and that is one man’s opinion.

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Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006 03:48 AM in Views by Ben Meisner

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Comments

Posted by: owl on September 29 2006 8:07 AM

When it comes to the tough decisions with multiple options it appears there is an inability at city hall, whether by admin or counicl, to make a decision and move on with it. There will always be dissenters. Why give another group the ability to latch onto another issue, indecision.

Posted by: Foo738 on September 29 2006 9:40 AM

Ben,

"They also give us a by pass" How?

Posted by: Harbinger on September 29 2006 10:41 AM

With all of this dithering, talking, debating, wondering and figuring about bridges and stuff I guess, looking back, it wouldn't have made one iota of difference by electing that indecisive always talking too much guy , whats his name? Ah, yes. Dan Rogers. Maybe next time.

Posted by: diplomat on September 29 2006 1:47 PM

Ben: "...they are unlikely to until a major accident occurs at 5th and Central..."

Saw a loaded logging truck (with a fully loaded trailer) making a determined left turn from 5th onto Carney Street.

(Determined because the left turn signal had expired by the time the truck entered into the intersection).

It was leaning heavily in the direction of the stopped cars and it looked as if it would tip over, any second.

Scary sight, indeed!

I am avoiding 5th now altogether. It is a recipe for a disaster to happen.

But, the City opted to borrow big bucks for a new display board at the CN Centre, instead of putting $ 750 grand into a repair of the bridge!

Can't understand how there is money for a luxury but no money for a necessity.

Let's hope we can persuade Dan Rogers to run again.

Posted by: Marty on September 29 2006 3:41 PM

Is there a means to do a recall on the election?

If so I for sure will help to collect signatures to have the mayor removed from office...he ran on the promise to repair the bridge ASAP, and that is i am sure the reason he won over Rodgers... and now he has not done a damn thing.

Anyone know how a recall is started?
Where i can look at the regs?

Thanks

Posted by: Palopu on September 29 2006 7:23 PM

Diplomat has it right. This bridge could be repaired and up and running handling both heavy trucks and passenger vehicles for the sum of $750,000.00. This was stated publicly by Frank Blues the Transportation Manager.

The problem that I have noted over the past year is that everyone including Ben in this post completely ignores the option of repairing the Bridge. Why is this??? Cant we repair the Bridge, get traffic moving and relook at the Bridge at a later date say 5 or 10 years.

We know its not the money because they just blew $850,000.00 on a replay board for the CN Centre which would have been more than adaquate to repair this bridge. We obviously have some pretty screwed up prioritys. We can reroute 8500 vehicles per day for in excess of three years, disrupting traffic, burning extra gas, costing business more in freight charges, and disrupting business on 1st Avenue, and creating an unsafe situation on 5th and the Bypass, because we dont want to spend $750,000.00 to repair this bridge, but we can build an $850,000.00 replay board for 3000 hockey fans, who attend the CN Centre that loses approx $380,000.00 per year.

I strongly suggest that the residents of the Hart Hiway, business on 1st Avenue, and all taxpayers in the City continue to watch this situation and remember it when they go to the polls next time.

My sense is that the Mayor and some of his yes man councillors will be running again in the next election, and we will be able to voice our opinion.

You will note that repairing the exisiting bridge is never mentioned as an option by any councillor or by the Mayor. IT IS AN OPTION, THEY JUST DO NOT WHAT TO LOOK AT IT OR DISCUSS IT, WHY????????.

Posted by: Marty on September 29 2006 9:30 PM

Posted by: diplomat on September 30 2006 9:01 AM

Pal, I noticed as well that Ben does not touch upon the obvious solution of repairing the bridge for $750,000. Now that we know that the piers are good for at least another 40 years what exactly IS the latest hang-up?

Why all the stalling? Is it below our dignity to accept such a low cost solution? Is someone looking for a glitzy campaign issue - like the promise of a brand new 40 million dollar bridge to run with in the next municipal election?

If that is the case then I would come to the conclusion that we are being manipulated to a totally unacceptable degree.

Residents of 5th Avenue and Carney Street should be on a picket line objecting to the daily thundering of heavy logging truck traffic through their residential area.

For how much longer are they going to put up with this? All of Ben's option will take a mininum of three years to accomplish, while a low cost repair could have returned (and still can return) the traffic to the bridge in less than half a year.

Heaven forbid an accident in that residential area leads to fatalities and life-long injuries. The City could find itself in a precarious legal position since it did nothing to re-route and restrict the truck traffic to safer roads.

Posted by: kimbo on September 30 2006 10:32 AM

Well Marty your plea for information didnt get much attention. So I'll give it my best shot.

I am not aware of being able to recall a municipal official. I believe that it would requier municipal legislation to do so as is the case for provincialy elected MLA's. However just recently someone had mentioned that its within the Municipal act that our elected officials are required to provide us with good government or words to that effect.

I have tried to find a copy of the municipal act on the internet but havent had much luck. I have also tried to interest the people who use this website in a rate payers association and even gave my phone number but didnt get a singal call. I am also past the whining stage on this website and think that we should " March on City Hall".

Cheers

Posted by: Marty on October 1 2006 2:00 PM

Kimbo,

Thanks for the research... I to tried looking into what can/cannot be done.
Seems to be no clear legislation about recalling a mayor.
But IMHO, not only would it maybe either get rid of kinsley, or give him a wake up call that people are not happy with his way of running ( I use the term loosely) ....But also might awaken the minds of our councillors.
Maybe I am wrong, and council just does not give a s h i t and never will...But it is worth a try at least.

ps. I always want to apologize for the reposting of my message some 6 hours later.
I had walked away from my computer, and when i returned hit "F5" to refresh the page to read any new posts, and accidentally reposted my message when i did that.