Township officials are hopeful a new provincial fund will help cover a portion of its bridge inventory costs.
Finance Director Mike Givens told councillors last week there is funding available through the Ontario Good Roads Association and the Ministry of Transportation.
In March, the OGRA and the MTO agreed to provide $750,000 to municipalities to help collect and report data on the extent and condition of bridge structures in their jurisdiction.
Municipalities can apply for 50% of their cost, up to $5,000.
“The township engineer has historically provided this type of service and is scheduled to complete this process this year,” Givens explained.
Councillor Bruce Whale wondered if the grant process would mean any duplication with the township’s ongoing road and bridge inventory being compiled by R.J. Burnside and Associates.
Givens said there should be no duplication. He explained the inventory was started last year but is still ongoing. There should be just one report, he added, with the township hopefully capitalizing on the OGRA funding.
“The timing is actually ideal,” Givens said.
“Impeccable,” added Mayor John Green.
Council unanimously approved a resolution to submit the funding application and also to submit bridge asset and condition data by March 31 of next year.
