The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's land, stewardship and education manager presented the board with a report on the condition of the region's bridges at its last meeting.
Kate Monk said they usually have staff inspect their bridges but they wanted to get a more thorough report from an engineer so they could plan their work out over the next 10 or 15 years and the first step is to establish priorities
Monk added they will definitely have to put some money into their bridges over the next few years.
“So they will cost money. A number of the structures were built in the 1980s or 90s and 2000s, so we'll work through the process with the priorities and our 2020 budget already includes funding to work on the Bannockburn bridges and the Stirling Bridge.”
Monk said most of the decking is wood, which does deteriorate over time, so that has to be replaced.
“So the wood decking has to be replaced and we replace the boards as needed, but it gets to be a point in time when the best thing to do is to replace the whole decking and that also enables us to look at what's below the decking as well and see if any repairs are needed there too.”
Monk said their staff are able to replace the decking and they'll have to hire contractors for the larger projects.
