Replacement of the Carter Road Bridge will take place this July and August if all goes to plan.
The approximately $1.36 million project was approved for tender during council on Jan. 8. Director of engineering Patrick Graham said it’s important to finalize designs and secure a contractor early in the year before the busy summer season begins and workers become more scarce.
Replacing the bridge, which has reached the end of its lifespan, will take around two months. July and August were chosen as the desired months because many of the bridge’s most frequent users – students and staff of Island Pacific School – will be away on summer break.
Residents of Belterra Cohousing also reside beyond the bridge, along with attendees to Cates Hill Chapel. These users will have to traverse the unpaved portion of Carter Road which runs down from the intersection with Belterra Road and connects down the hill near the gas station and public works yard.
Graham said his department is exploring some type of traffic control, such as a lights system, to help vehicles going in opposite directions navigate the narrow gravel road.
Once complete the new bridge will be able to support all types of vehicles, including ones that are currently too heavy including fire trucks. While no vehicles will be making their way through during the replacement, the repair site is expected to accommodate pedestrian access during the two months.
