Burlington MP Mike Wallace held his long awaited round table for stakeholders affected by the Burlington Canal Liftbridge. This meeting was needed after it was determined that the Economic Action Plan funding for the bridge was maintenance spending for a scrape and paint job not really new infrastructure spending.PWGSC presented 5 expensive options that provided a safer way for vulnerable road users to cross. Participants, including denizens from Burlington City Hall, Hamilton Waterfront Trust, MTO & the respective cycling committees easily narrowed the options to: #1. building a new path on the lake side of the bridge or #4 paving the bridge deck & establishing a multi-purpose lane for vulnerable road uses o the bridge. Guesstimated costs were in the $12 - $20 million dollar range.
Our group asked PWGSC to strip out the cost of relocating the control tower & using high tech video cameras instead. Based on an early Declan report, the tower relocation was over 80% of the cost.Numerous studies have shown that the investment in the bridge will pay for itself in lower health costs, better quality of life, environmental improvements and tourism benefits. However, none of these factors are taken into account by PWGSC whose sole goal is to divest & maintain.
The saga continues in January 2010. Meanwhile cyclists & pedestrians continue to risk their lives crossing the bridge. One Sunday morning I encountered a group of confused cyclists that slowed down & stopped on Eastport Dr. They were unsure how they should cross. Note the large tanker truck that passed the cyclists. Luckily, he was able to move his rig into the unoccupied left lane.
Gene
