Town hires consultant to examine bridges around Caledon

R.J. Burnside and Associates Ltd. was retained by Caledon council recently to complete a municipal class environmental assessment and provide engineering design services for various rural bridges for its low bid of $106,675 plus GST.

Three rural bridges were identified as being structurally and functionally deficient. They're all more than 50 years old, and one of them is being considered for heritage designation. Two of the bridges are located on Kennedy Road and one is located on Heart Lake Road.

As well, for the Sneath Street bridge in Bolton, the consultant will be required to prepare final design drawings, specifications and prepare a contract for tendering and construction in 2008. The bridge was closed to all vehicle traffic in September for safety reasons.

Councillor Allan Thompson thought the Sneath Street bridge was closed permanently, but manager of public works Craig Morton said it's only closed temporarily.