Ontario's bridges in need of inspection, repairs

Aging Ontario bridges are in need of an estimated $2 billion in repairs, but still aren't subjected to regular provincial inspection, a study to be released Tuesday suggests.

The study examining the state of Ontario's 12,000 municipal bridges, commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario, found there is no single provincial agency that ensures the bridges are inspected every two years, let alone properly maintained.

There is "no assurance that municipal bridges in Ontario are safe," says the study, prepared by MMM Group.

Ontario has to be "vigilant and ready to take timely, responsible action to safeguard the public from potential infrastructure failures."

Bridge safety became a hot topic last Octoberafter five people died when a bridge collapsed in Laval, Que.; another 13 people lost their lives and 100 more were injured this past August when a highway bridge collapsed in Minnesota.

Earlier this month, six construction workers were injured when a bridge they were working on in western Ontario collapsed.

Most of the province's municipal bridges were built in the 1950s and 1960s, which means they're at the end of their lifespan, the study found, concluding it would take approximately $2 billion in repairs over the next five years to bring these structures up to modern standards.

"There is probably potential for there to be a risk out there that some bridges aren't that safe," said Andy Manahan, the alliance's executive director.

"If they fail, it's even more catastrophic than a road that maybe has broken asphalt."

It's distressing that the province has washed its hands of municipal bridges when many communities are too cash-strapped to afford modern inspections and repairs, Manahan said.

Ontario used to keep records about the state of all bridges but stopped that practice in 1997, he added.

"That's a real concern," Manahan said. "We're saying, 'Let's have an urgent look at all the bridges across the province.'"

Ontario should commit to twice-yearly inspections of all bridges and maintain a central inventorythat prioritizes repair needs, he added.

Municipalities lack resources

Pat Vanini, executive director of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, said the province should take back some financial responsibility for Ontario's infrastructure. The money municipalities are getting to maintain roads and bridges just isn't enough, she said.

"The transportation system in Ontario still has a lot of needs," Vanini said.

Transportation Ministry spokesman Bob Nicholssaid the ministry has a copy of the report and is still reviewing the recommendations.

"It's a serious issue," he said. "We take any feedback on this issue seriously and we welcome this particular report. It comes from the folks who are building our bridges."

Still, Conservative Laurie Scott said the situation requires a more urgent response from the Liberals. A nearby bridge in her riding of Haliburton-Victoria-Brock was suddenly closed recently because of safety concerns, she said.

It remains closed while the municipality scrambles to find money for repairs, she added. Ontario's crumbling infrastructure needs attention now, not further review, Scott said.

"It's a huge problem," said Scott, adding the province should dedicate 100 per cent of the gas tax to roads and look into public-private partnerships to get the job done. "It has to be addressed."