Staff Report
BRANT NEWS

In its recent national infrastructure report card, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities identified crumbling bridges as a major area of concern.

During the next two years, the provincial Ministry of Transportation will repair six bridges along a four-kilometre section of Highway 403 in Brantford, from Ewing Drive to Wayne Gretzky Parkway.

The bridge rehabilitation project involves repairing deteriorating sections of the bridges, as well as railings, barriers and ramps.

Ewing Drive, Wayne Gretzky Parkway, Tollgate Road, North Park Street, King George Road and West Street will be partially or completely closed at various times as underpass construction work is completed. Single lanes of Highway 403 will also be closed overnight at various times during the process.

The project is funded by the provincial government and is expected to begin next spring.

The city collects data on its infrastructure to evaluate the condition, function and lifespan of its public works assets and ensure the most pressing tasks are completed first with funds available, said Geoff Linschoten, Brantford’s director of facilities and asset management.

Most bridges have expected lifespans of 75 years and the city performs a detailed visual inspection of all structures every two years.