Lakeshore Advance, 2012-05-16, Page 2914 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, May 25, 2011
County OKs struck -eating bridge' plan
Cherfi Heath
A local businessman's offer to step up
to the plate proved to be the driving
force in a change of heart by Huron
County Councillors at their May 18
committee -of -the -whole session.
After Coun. Bill Stetnon (Huron East)
presented an offer from a local busi-
nessman, who has since been Identified
as Jamie Armstrong of Teeswater Con-
crete Limited, at the May 11 committee -
of -the -whole session, councillors agreed
to revisit the issue of moving up the
approximate $680,000 "truck -eating
bridge" on County Road No. 13 to 2011,
if possible, from the scheduled date of
2012.
Siemon says Armstrong's offer is to
cover the interest, estimated at $12,000,
in moving up the project, which former
Central Huron Reeve Bert Dykstra
attempted to get pushed forward last fall
to no avail.
While roads manager Dave Laurie
lauds both the idea and the business-
man's offer, Coun, Bill Dowson (Blue -
water) says he cannot support moving
up the project because he believes the
railroad should be footing most of the
bill for the substandard bridge, which
earned the name "truck eating" as there
have been dozens of crashes at the site
in the past two decades.
Rowson says his home municipality
is "being forced" to take on the cost of a
pricey municipal drain project related
to the cost an railroad bridge.
"'That is costing our ratepayers a lot of
money," says Dowson. "It's time they
(the railroad) come to the table or we
don't do anything"
County Warden Neil Vincent (North
Huron) says while some of the bridge's
neighbours do not support the idea of a
rehabilitation project, the fact remains a
number of truckers are drawn to the
area because GPS points them in that
direction. Unfortunately, says Vincent,
several of those truckers also attempt to
navigate the bridge with unfortunate
results.
'Ihe end result for the county, argues
Vincent, is a negative reputation.
Coun. George Robertson (South
Huron) says the issue at hand is whether
to move the project up given county
councillors have already agreed to begin
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the project in 2012.
Though Coun. Paul Klapp (Bluewater) says starting the
project as scheduled makes the most sense given it will give
the railroad more time to step up, Coun. lames Ginn (Central
Iluron) says the time to deal with it is as soon as possible.
"This bridge is an impediment to the commerce of Clinton
and Central Huron," says Ginn. "'Ihe fact a business is help-
ing out shows the bridge is hurting the region:'
"It's not just about truck safety, it's about the safety of any-
one who uses that road P. The sooner we can get this done,
the better."
Meanwhile, Coun. Paul Gowing (Morris-Turnberry) says
while he didn't initially support taking on the project, he now
does after travelling through the area.
"I am astounded by the amount of traffic on it," he says.
When asked whether the county has ever been sued
because of accidents at the site, treasurer Dave Carey reports
the county, "get claims all the time for that bridge" but it is
ultimately not responsible because it does not own it.
Ultimately, a recorded vote on moving the project forward
passed by an 11-8 margin with one councillor absent.
In an interview with 'Ihe News -Record, Jamie Armstrong,
president of Teeswater Concrete Limited, says he decided to
step up to offer assistance as his company, which is situated
nearby the bridge in Clinton, will benefit from the change.
"We've been working at this for probably up to 10 years,"
says Armstrong, noting his company branched out to the
Clinton location around the year 2000.
Armstrong came up with the idea of financially pitching in
after realizing Interest rates are low and recognizing, "the
need to move the project forward as quickly as possible."
"For us, it will improve our efficiency," says Armstrong,
noting the change will also reduce the amount of traffic con-
gestion in the area.
Armstrong is grateful the county is agreeing to take him up
on the offer.
"There is a lot of things on their plate," says Armstrong. "I
was encouraged that they would take a look at it."
Grand Bend Optimist Youth Centre
The Reach for the Top program is designed to help students
reach their full potential.
Stop by during our drop-in hours and get help writing a strong
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16 Municipal Drive
Grand Bend, Ontario NOM ITO
Phone: 519-238-1155
Fax: 519-238-1366
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Blyth
Festival
a finalist
Lakeshore Advance
The Blyth Festival is a finalist for an
Ontario arts award.
The festival, founded 36 years ago,
is one of six finalists for the Premier's
Award for Excellence in the Arts in
the category of arts organization.
The festival, set to open June 21,
receives $2,000 for being a finalist
and could receive $50,000 as a
recipient.
The awards were instituted to rec-
ognize the achievements of artists
and arts organizations and their con-
tributions to Ontario over a signifi-
cant period of time.
Blyth artistic director Eric Coates
said the theatre is successful because
of the work of staff and volunteers
and because the play is always cen-
tral to the festival.
We allow the play itself to be the
boss and we all work to support this
ideal" he said.
Coates added the nomination is
especially important because of the
changes in rural communities.
"Life in rural Ontario continues to
undergo staggering changes as our
population declines and farmers
adapt to the new economy.
"In light of these struggles, we are
especially grateful that our rural vil-
lage and its beloved theatre company
have been recognized by the awards
committee."
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