Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Welland is waiting for money from the federal government to replace the former Forks Road Bridge – months after provincial funds were committed to the project.
Last fall, the Ontario government announced $1.67 million “for the construction of the former Welland Canal crossing,” which is about 124-metres-long, including abutments.
The funding is part of Ontario’s $480-million investment in rural and northern and public transit infrastructure projects that fall under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
However, the funding was put on hold before the federal election in October.
The city has earmarked money in its 2020 budget for the bridge replacement which has a total estimated cost of about $5 million.
Campion said $5 million has been set aside for the bridge, the majority of which will come through the federal and provincial governments.
Welland’s portion of the project will be about $833,000.
The former 88-year-old lift bridge was declared unsafe for both pedestrian and vehicle use in late 2018 and demolished last year – severing a link used by about 3,500 vehicles daily to access Welland, Wainfleet, Port Colborne and other parts of Niagara.
Testing on concrete piers that supported the bridge began last October and was carried out by ASI Marine on behalf of engineering firm Golder.