LITTLE CURRENT—The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) announced recently that it has hired Stantec Consulting Ltd. to conduct a planning, preliminary design and environmental assessment process request for proposals for the replacement of the iconic Manitoulin Swing Bridge.
“The bridge is approaching the end of its service life,” said Gordan Rennie, MTO media spokesperson, northeast region, told The Expositor. “The study is necessary to determine the best alternative for a new link to Manitoulin Island.”
“It sounds as though the existing bridge has been ‘written off’,” this reporter noted to Mr. Rennie. “Is this the case? Have they been hired to determine a new link only, not see if it’s worth fixing the swing bridge?”
Mr. Rennie replied, “No. The project will follow the Environmental Assessment Process where alternatives, including replacement, will be developed and assessed. The study will result in the selection of a recommended option. At the same time, the bridge is approaching the end of its service life, which is the reason for initiating the study.”
Mr. Rennie also noted that the assignment is valued at $2.5 million and is expected to take approximately two years to complete.
“The study will involve looking at various options for a new link to Manitoulin Island,” he continued. “The review of options will include identifying and assessing several factors such as safety, environment and construction. The study will identify a recommended strategy and allow the ministry to protect any required land for future construction.”
Members of the public, Indigenous communities and stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the alternatives and the study process throughout the study. This opportunity will be available through a project website, Public Information Centres and communication with the project team.
The first step will be to issue a Notice of Project Commencement and outline the study and contact information. Consultation meetings and sessions are expected to follow in late-summer to fall 2018.
