Opposition from close to 10,000 residents of Victoria in British Columbia has led the council to postpone plans to borrow US$47.6 million for a new bridge. The council has also announced that it will put the bridge borrowing to a referendum.
The proposal to borrow the money to replace Johnson Street Bridge resulted in 9,872 verified counter petitions from residents who were opposed. A special meeting of the council has now resolved to instruct staff to gather more information related to both replacement and refurbishment options, and to engage the public.
The rolling bascule bridge has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre and MMM Group. Rather than pivoting about a hinge point, the bridge rolls back on curved tread plates attached to the girders of the main span. This allows a greater clearance of the waterway.
The council has undertaken to provide detailed information to support voters in making an informed decision in the referendum. No date has yet been set but a report will be brought to the council in the coming weeks.
