The Quinte Skyway Bridge connecting Prince Edward County to the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory along Highway 49. (Photo: Michael J. Brethour)
Access to healthcare services, employment and tourism were the main concerns raised by Prince Edward County council after hearing plans to replace the Quinte Skyway Bridge.
Tuesday night, council received a report outlining options for the $40 million dollar rehabilitation to the 50-year-old bridge along Highway 49 connecting the County to Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
The plan calls for replacement of deteriorating bridge deck, piers, and steel girders along with lane and lighting upgrades.
Options in completing the construction vary in closing it completely for two years or keeping it open with detours and traffic delays for three to five years.
Mayor Robert Quaiff says closing down one of the main arteries to the County completely will have serious economic impacts as it sees about 7,000 vehicles travel over it daily – 250,000 vehicles between in July and August.
Project Manager Glenn Higgins says the MTO is more than willing to work with the public and he wants everyone to what the bridge means to them and voice those concerns at the upcoming public meetings.
Using An Ornge air ambulance, the Glenora Ferry or CFB Trenton services were suggested in a times of serious emergency if someone needed to be rushed to Kingston General Hospital.
Next month the MTO will undertake a more detailed analysis of the options including meetings with municipal and first nations leaders along with public consultations.
Public meetings are set for August 17 at the Prince Edward Community Centre and August 18 at the Tyendinaga Community Centre. Both are from 5 to 8 p.m.
In other business, the County has given the green light to a Belleville construction company to begin work on four road rehabilitation projects.
The municipality has awarded the $1.1 million tender to Fitzgibbon Construction Limited to complete road work on County Roads 1,5,14 and 33.
As included in the 2016 budget, the tender includes continued rehabilitation of County Road 1, 1 kilometre of County Road 14 and about a half a kilometre of County Roads 33 and 5.
