by Barb McKay

The Municipality of Kincardine will apply for government funding to extend the life of the Queen Street bridge. The decision was not unanimous, but council ultimately decided during its meeting on April 15 that the bridge, which provides access to Kincardine’s downtown, was the best project to put forward on an infrastructure grant application. During its meeting the previous week, council had discussed two potential projects that could qualify for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program,
which is accepting applications until May 14. During the April 8 meeting, municipal staff had put forward two projects that are high priority – the Browns Hill bridge on Concession 5 and the Queen Street bridge – and had recommended that council choose the Browns Hill bridge because it more closely aligns with the criteria on the grant application. Water and sewer projects are not eligible so staff looked at bridges and what needs are over the next five years, director of public works Adam Weishar told council. He said the municipality applied for provincial and federal funding to rehabilitate Browns Hill bridge in the past and was unsuccessful. An environmental assessment for the bridge was initiated but put on hold in 2014. “That project has sat idle since that time,” he said.

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