Movement Made To Fix Broken Bridge
It may have taken almost six years, in-camera meetings with Council and a serial publication in the local newspaper reaching the length of a Chares Dickens novel, had at least one seemingly bitter exchange at Council but it now appears that the 7th Avenue SW Bridge might finally have a temporary fix to allow property owners a more ready access to their homes.
At their Executive Committee Meeting this past Monday afternoon Council decided unanimously to issue a Request For Proposals to effect a temporary repair of the ice damaged structure. Council voted to issue the RFP to either remove the eastern damaged side of the bridge and turn it into a single lane bridge for $300,000 (including contingencies and engineering) or do a more extensive repair allowing two way traffic at a cost of about $500,000.
The more extensive repair would entail jacking the bridge deck up and then repairing the pilings and installing pile caps to ensure the deck could safely hold the load.
The bridge had up until recently been closed to vehicle traffic since the Spring of 2015 when ice damaged three piles but after and after a recent inspection the bridge was additionally closed to pedestrian traffic as well.
The committee was told that the City’s consulting engineer, Associated Engineering (AE), had reviewed a cheaper epoxy based repair solution - provided by the property owners - and the cheaper repair at first look did present some merit but at the same time fell short by not changing the pile caps (which spread the load across the decking) making the bridge safe to hold a load.
“While three are parts that are viable and make sense as part of the rehabilitation to the structure it did not address the critical element on the bridge which is the pile caps,” engineer Jason Chiasson told Council by videolink. “Simply strengthening the piles from below does not solve the problem that the caps are undersized and there are still piles missing.
Chiasson did say however when speaking to the contractor who the residents had referred to the City that a second alternative repair was suggested which involved jacking up the bridge deck, making repairs and upgrades, and then setting the decking back down onto new pile caps. This approach would allow two lane traffic.
During discussion city manager said that the City should look at both of the temporary repairs as they entered discussions with Carpere about cost sharing a new bridge.
“I think it is important we take a look at both of these options while we start discussions about cost sharing (a new bridge) and what else we can do for property owners,” Puffalt said.
Previously in the discussion Puffalt had said “the City is obligated to provide an access to the property owners there is no question of that. However we believe the access is provided by a road it does not have to be a bridge.”
He said the bridge had been part of negotiations with Carpere when they were also offering to purchase the South East Industrial Park in 2019 but those negotiations had fallen through.
Puffalt said that it was standard practice for developers to pay for the cost of things like the bridge and then recover the costs through lot sales.
“The premise is those costs are bundled into the cost of a lot and that lots are purchased by the end user…we fully expect there is a profit margin there or developers would not be into that business at all.”
The City Manager indicated the City was looking at a cost sharing of a new bridge’s construction with Carpere.
Residents’ Lawyer Speaks
The tone was much more subdued than a recent Council meeting as David Chow, lawyer for the residents, addressed the Committee.
Chow said either of the two solutions being considered for a RFP was acceptable to his clients with a proviso that the repairs had to be completed this Winter and another year be allowed to pass with no repairs. The repairs need to be made in the Fall and Winter as it is the time of lowest river flow as well as no nest migratory birds - both identified problems and concerns.
“We want to stress how important it is for the rehabilitation of the bridge to occur this Winter. To avoid another year of families having to use a locked gates and a year for citizens having no access to Tatawa Park (Wild Animal Park) and the Eco-Park either by car or by foot,” Chow said.
The residents also added an additional condition to secure their agreement.
“Provided there is a complete rebuild of the bridge within the next decade,” he said.
The cost of replacing the existing bridge with an upgraded structure built to industry standards is estimated to cost $4.2 million if replaced at the present time. The City has no funding set aside to replace the bridge at the present time.
Councillor Heather Eby said she would like to see the bridge temporarily repaired by the Spring.
“My preference is to have this done by Spring and then move on for everyone. I know it is stressful for the residents that live over there but it is also stressful for those of us on this side of the table,” Councillor Eby said.
Mayor Fraser Tolmie reiterated Councillor Eby’s comments to effect the repairs as soon as possible.
“I think that time is of the essence in my personal opinion but I am just thinking about the residents’ and also community access to the park,” Mayor Tolmie said.
Councillor Doug Blanc said he supported the cheaper repair as it appeared neither repair increased the load carrying capability of the bridge.
“It’s been closed for five years or more so I think it is time to get on with it,” Councillor Blanc said. “Let’s get it open as soon as possible.”
Councillor Luhning Plays Devil’s Advocate
Despite the committee’s discussion seemingly favouring the temporary repair and then eventual replacement of the bridge Councillor Dawn Luhning said there was another way to access the properties and other side of the valley and that was by using the existing City owned road allowance on the Valley View property. Something that the recent new owners, Carpere Valley Developments, is opposed to.
“We are not addressing the elephant in the room that there is a legal roadway through the lands Carpere purchased. Nobody is talking about that,” Councillor Luhning said. “What I cannot understand is why the new owner feels the need that they should block the legal roadway that would give these residents access to their homes.”
“If we own that roadway why isn’t it open for our residents to access their homes?” she asked, going on to further ask if there were any legal ramifications to force Carpere to take down the locked gates and allow the residents to access.
Councillor Luhning said the issue had suddenly came to a head with the end result being the City was ending up paying for the bridge and with no money to do it.
“I want to know why we can’t enforce our legal roadway?”
Although he had already re-taken his seat Chow re-entered the discussion by pointing out a portion of the existing roadway was not constructed on a publicly owned right of way but belonged to Carpere. He further pointed out the families had been trying to get the bridge repaired for close to six years and that Carper had only owned the Valley View property for six months.
Chow’s seemingly becoming part of Council’s debate and countering her points had Councillor Luhning asking if his further participation in the debate was appropriate.
City clerk/solicitor Myron Gulka-Teichko said it was appropriate because no motion had been made at the time.
Councillor Jamey Logan said he would like to see both options explored in case the more expensive fix allowed for a 10 tonnes and not a 5 tonne load carrying limit.
Chow said his clients preferred both options to be part of the RFP so long as their inclusion did not delay the RFP.
Chiasson had said previously that the work could commence almost immediately if Council desired both options to be explored and the results could be available sooner in the New Year if required.
The issue of using a route other then the bridge was forgotten and Council voted unanimously to submit both temporary repairs for scrutiny and part of an RFP.