Phase one of the South Main St Bridge and EcoPark project in Port Robinson is complete, but there are still many questions surrounding the timeline and design of the new bridge.
As ThoroldToday reported, City Hall staff have put together a three-phase plan to turn the bridge into an EcoPark.
Phase one saw the development of an environmental enhancement strategy, phase two will see a detailed design for the park, and phase three consists of the construction portion of the project.
Over the last two years the city has held several public information centres with the local community, to put together a concept plan which was drawn up by engineering consulting firm RJ Burnside.
The city then consulted with another engineering firm, McIntosh Perry, to put together an environmental enhancement report. In that report, different suggestions for the design of the project were provided.
The move has led to some confusion for local residents who are afraid that the RJ Burnside concept they approved won’t be properly implemented.
The City’s Director of Community Services Geoff Holman used Tuesday’s city council meeting to put an end to the confusion.
“The process that we’re going to follow is going to ultimately try to achieve what’s in the RJ Burnside report,” he told council members. “There are going to be environmental constraints that might prevent the ultimate construction to look like the concept plan. We need to kind of blend those two ideas to come up with the ultimate configuration.”
Holman stressed that there will be more public informations sessions to consult the local community about any changes made to the final design of the project.
During the discussion, councillors also asked for clarity on the actual timeline of the project.
“The first item that needs to be done is temporary nesting boxes have to be installed and also nesting areas for the turtles have to be preserved,” said Councillor Jim Handley. “Before we can even start any type of construction on that project there has to be a nesting area in place through the breeding season and the hatching season.”
Holman explained that there’s already enough funding in place to take care of that part of the project.
“Some of these things are relatively inexpensive,” he said. “The materials might cost 50 bucks or we could buy them. They might be good projects for special interest groups who want to help.”
Councillor Henry D’Angela urged City Hall staff to make work of the nesting boxes immediately.
“Timelines are critical on this project because if we don’t get those boxes in and the nesting areas for the turtles then you lose a whole year,” Councillor D’Angela said. “Those are critical items right now. Do get them done as quickly as possible as long as the weather allows.”
Funding for the final design and construction of the project will be further discussed in the new year at the 2023 city budget deliberations.
