It could be an expensive 10 years for Woolwich Township.
At the Feb. 23 committee-of-the-whole meeting, councillors learned that it could take up to $6.8 million to repair and replace the aging bridges spread throughout the township, if all of the recommendations of recent bridge appraisals are approved.
That cost would be spread over the next 10 years, with repairs and replacements planned according to priority.
Dan Kennaley, township director of engineering and planning, gave a short slide presentation, outlining the various bridges that need work.
A total of 13 bridges are being labeled as “high priority” by township staff, after the bridge review conducted by Gambsy and Mannerow.
Five bridges are being recommended for replacement, including a 1913 earth-filled concrete arch on Floradale Road, three culverts — one on Reid Woods Drive, one on Halm Road, and one on Bisch Streets — and a 1927 concrete rigid frame bridge on New Jerusalem Road.
As well, several bridges have a “minimum rehabilitation” proposal, but could also be replaced.
Of particular concern is the 1913 steel truss bridge on Peel Street, which has heritage significance. A minimum rehabilitation of $128,000 will need to take place in the next five years, while the total cost to replace the structure could be $3.8 million, including an environmental assessment, engineering and contingency. The load limit on this bridge will be reduced to three tonnes from its current posting of 10 tonnes, until repairs can be made.
A similar situation exists for the steel truss bridge on Glasgow Street South, which was closed late last year because of concerns about the deterioration of the bridge deck. Council has already approved the minimum repairs of $270,000, but full replacement costs could reach $3.25 million.
Township councillors received the 2009 Bridge and Culvert Appraisals, and directed staff to develop a bridge replacement and rehabilitation plan in time for 2011 budget deliberations. They also passed a bylaw imposing new load limit restrictions on several bridges of concern.
The bridge plan will coincide with the work township staff is now doing on its Road Needs Study, to allow the municipality to plan its infrastructure needs for the coming years.