The Municipality of West Grey has approved a long-term Bridge Prioritization and Financing Strategy to address critical infrastructure needs and ensure the safety and accessibility of local roads and bridges.
Spanning 876 square kilometers, West Grey is responsible for maintaining 114 bridges and culverts, many of which are over 75 years old and reaching the end of their functional lifespan.
The newly-approved strategy outlines a framework for investment in bridge repairs and replacements to support regional connectivity, emergency access, and economic stability for local businesses and farmers.
To ensure the financial sustainability of this strategy, the Municipality will dedicate approximately $140,000 annually from assessment growth to bridge projects. It will also maintain a base tax levy contribution of $807,000 for capital investment in bridges, and allocate 41 per cent of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) grant, estimated at $450,000 annually, to bridge repairs and replacements over the next decade.
The Strategy prioritizes 10 critical bridge structures, with an estimated cost of $19.1 million over the next ten years. The list of prioritized projects will be reviewed every two years in accordance with the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) to ensure that the most pressing needs are addressed. The financing component will also be reassessed annually during budget deliberations.
"The 10-Year Bridge Prioritization and Financing Strategy represents a forward-thinking approach to maintaining the long-term safety, functionality, and durability of our Municipality's bridges," said West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles. "This Strategy demonstrates Council’s commitment to investing in infrastructure that will safeguard and enhance the transportation network for our residents for the foreseeable future."
As part of the plan, all potential bridge replacement options will be considered, including different structure types, during the pre-engineering phases of each project.
