The Ministry of Transportation is helping 22 municipalities across the province make improvements to roads and bridges that run through their communities and connect to provincial highways, while fostering economic growth and job creation.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent was successful in obtaining funding in the amount of $3 million dollars for the rehabilitation of the Lord Selkirk Bridge in the Community of Wallaceburg, under the Ministry of Transportation Connecting Links Program.
Municipal officials say the rehabilitation involves structural, mechanical and electrical repairs which will allow the structure to continue to operate as a movable bridge while achieving the overall goal of removal of the load posting which is currently 15/25/40 tonnes.
It is anticipated that the rehabilitation design will be completed, tendered and awarded for construction by September 2018, municipal officials say.
The approximate start of construction would be in October 2018 and completed by Spring/Summer of 2019.
This construction timeline is chosen to minimize any impacts during navigational season on the Sydenham River.
It is anticipated that full closure of the structure will be required for a portion of the contract.
Prior to tendering, these timelines will be shared with both Council and the public.
There are about 350 kilometres of roads and 70 bridges along Connecting Links in 77 municipalities across Ontario.
“We are helping municipalities make important improvements to their roads and bridges, keeping our communities moving and our roads safe,” stated Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Transportation.
“Our government’s Connecting Links program demonstrates our commitment to Ontario’s rural and northern communities and to the families who live there. These highways are essential links in many communities, connecting people to jobs and improving the economy and residents’ quality of life.”
Connecting Links funding covers up to 90 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $3 million.
These include design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of Connecting Links infrastructure.
