New Campbellford Bridge Project could be scrapped due to funding concerns
Image of proposed Campbellford Bridge. Courtesy of Northumberland County.
By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.
A second proposed bridge in Campbellford is facing headwinds. The commuinty’s main bridge was built in 1968 and assessed to be in major need of rehabilitation, but the new bridge could cost close to $56 million, up $12.6 million from a 2016 estimate due to inflation. Northumberland County which is managing the new bridge project has already purchased five full properties required, along with five of the 16 partial properties and has begun the expropriation process for the remaining identified properties. A presentation by staff at the County meeting Wednesday, suggested the bridge is a massive undertaking. Denise Marshall, Director of Public Works for the County said the project will enhance emergency response times and decrease traffic delays.
“The design includes a 188-metre spanned structure. It's going to have two lanes of vehicle traffic, there will be dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks. There is also a pedestrian pathway that runs along the Trent River and underneath the structure along the west embankment,” Marshall explained.
The idea of a second bridge has been studied since 1989, with environmental assessments taking place in 2007 and more detailed plans within the last decade. Significant public consultation is already underway. Timelines given by Marshal indicate that the design phase is 90 percent complete with tendering expected within the next six months and three year construction of the bridge located in the Grant Road and Alma Street area, overpassing Saskatoon Avenue expected to begin in 2026.
Funding is certainly a cause for concern for County mayors, as the report states there is only $15.5 million dollars available internally, leaving $40 million to either come through grants or that the provincial and federal governments will need to contribute. The County was unsuccessful in securing a $26 million grant and is awaiting word on another $11 million grant. Port Hope Mayor Olena Hankivsky said taking on $40 million in debt is risky.
“I cannot even start to contemplate taking on this kind of debt without certainty around grants and funding and leaving us with little other flexibility for projects of priorities across the County. I have to say I’m just spinning a little bit at the moment,” said Hankivsky.
Yet Hamilton Township Mayor Scott Jibb said while the County cannot currently afford to build the bridge, it is still highly needed.
“We cannot afford to not build this bridge, but at the same time we cannot afford this bridge, unless we have provincial and federal funding,” Jibb said.
Council deferred voting on the project, wanting more information. Chief Administration Officer Jennifer Moore stated that a decision on whether to proceed with the project will need to be made in the coming months.
