Goderich Town Council received an update on the rehabilitation work to the Menesetung Bridge.
Phase 1 of the work was to repair piers 2, 3, and 4 of the bridge.
The first part of the rehab work was close to the contractor’s cost estimate.
As work progresses, the cost to repair the lower parts of those piers is going to be a higher cost – adding $90,000 to the grand total.
The additional costs are due to the effect that water has on the piers, including freezing and thawing, ice floes, and water exposure.
The Menesetung Bridge Association has asked Goderich council for $45,000 to help cover the costs.
They say that they will be asking ACW’s council for the remaining $45,000.
The bridge association has raised the remaining money that was needed to move ahead with the rehabilitation of the bridge through community fundraising efforts, and until the contractor found the current issues with the affected piers, felt that they had raised enough money.
They were also unable to find further grant funding through provincial and federal streams.
Council approved a loan through the Economic Development Reserve through a good-faith gesture for $95,000 that would be repaid over five years.
