Meaford is ready to proceed with an ambitious program to repair or replace its 80 bridges and culverts.
Council voted this week to adopt a State of the Infrastructure Report on its bridges and culverts. The report is to serve as the guiding document for staff to prepare long-term capital budgets.
Infrastructure Director Darcy Chapman's main recommendation calls for Meaford to begin beefing up its capital reserve. That will mean increasing bridge funding from the present $60,000 to $360,000 in the 2017 budget.
Staff will also prepare a budget for next year that includes a 1% tax increase to be dedicated to bridge funding.
Another recommendation calls for Meaford to approve spending from reserves to prepare engineering reports on the structural fitness on 15 of its 80 bridges.
Council will budget for repairing the other 65 bridges and culverts as money become available.
