Meaford council has passed a motion to have staff bring back a report outlining next steps needed to move forward with the reconstruction of bridges which have been closed since 2016.
During a meeting on March 27, council received a motion for decision by Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney, which referenced the bridges on Holland-Sydenham Town Line between Grey Road 29 and 2nd Concession South.
In 2019, the municipality passed a resolution to adopt a funding model on the basis all bridges should be replaced when needed, however, the closure of these bridges has had an economic impact on residents and farm businesses operating in the proximity of these bridges.
Keaveney says she brought this motion forward following a recent Grey County decision, where they have taken the position they are not responsible for the bridges.
“They never had any opportunity, or need, or been required to or felt they were necessarily owners of these bridges, nor have they maintained them in anyway shape or form,” says Keaveney. “I am hoping there will be support so staff can have a look at this and bring back a report to us with some recommendations as to how we should proceed from this point in time.”
Councillors Tony Bell, Steven Bartley, and Harley Greenfield all spoke about their support for the motion as the alternate route to get around the closed bridges have proven dangerous and fatal.
“Unless we sue the county to get them involved, I don’t see where this goes, but I will support today’s thing to see if we can’t move this forward, I am very sceptical but I hope we can,” says Bartley.
To assist with the reopening, council had previously placed $700,000 in reserves for these bridges.
