Blake Ellis/The Independent

Enniskillen Township will go ahead with a $2.4 million replacement of the Black Creek Bridge on Marthaville Road.

A report from engineering firm, B.M. Ross, was reviewed at its Sept. 15 meeting with only two viable options for the municipality, a complete replacement or just replace the bridge and maintain the existing foundations.

While a prefabricated steel truss bridge could be constructed and placed on the foundation at a cost of $1.8 million, there is a catch. A new bridge is expected to last 75 years, the foundation fix is only expected to last for 40 years.

Mayor Kevin Marriott says replacing the whole bridge is the only option “that makes any sense.”

Councillor Wally Van Dun agreed “It doesn’t make any sense at all putting something new on something old.”

The condition of the foundation underneath the water is also unknown. This is what eliminated the option for Deputy Mayor Judy Krall.

Marriott turned to how to pay for the project.

“I am a little disappointed because the province seems to have completely forgotten about roads and bridges,” said Marriott.

He had a one on one with the Ontario Minister of Transportation Pragmeet Singh Sarkaria at the most recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference. Marriott also submitted a letter to Premier Doug Ford when the premier visited Sarnia recently, but there has been no follow up to his concerns.

One of the things the minister of transportation had indicated during their discussion was the ability to apply for interest free loans. The township has already set aside $563,000 in the budget for the Black Creek Bridge project. Already just over $43,000 has been spent on engineering.

Van Dun said if the township can present the bridge as a shovel ready project, there could be grants available from senior levels of government.

Public Works Superintendent Darcy Mitchell was asked how close the bridge is to be condemned. The answer that came back was very, as the bridge is being limited to a weight of eight tonnes.

“In farmer terms, that is 300 bushel,” said Councillor Tim Williams, as a single farm wagon is too much to be taken over the bridge.

The engineering report indicates it would be possible to have the bridge replacement going to tender by next April.