The 5th Street Bridge Project is expected to begin in the spring, and the City of Courtenay is inviting the community to weigh in on three choices for the colour of the bridge when it is recoated as part of the rehabilitation process.
The options are to maintain the classic green colour, or change it to either silver or black.
To have your say, visit www.courtenay.ca/fifthstreetbridge for a link to a simple survey where you can view illustrations of the three choices and click on your favourite. The survey closes on Jan. 13.
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells said the survey responses will help guide council with the final decision on the bridge colour. “The 5th Street Bridge is an iconic part of our downtown, and this is a rare opportunity for our residents to tell us if they are fond of the current colour or would like to see something different,” said Wells. “Even around our council table this topic generated some friendly discussion, so I’m really curious to see how our community weighs in on this topic.”
The 5th Street Bridge was constructed in 1960. It requires structural improvements, new coating to repair and prevent corrosion, and deck repairs. The last significant investment in the bridge, including seismic upgrading, was in 2012. Engineers specializing in bridge construction and rehabilitation have determined that upgrades are necessary to preserve its integrity and to prevent deterioration. Bridge repair was strongly recommended as a cost-effective, faster, less disruptive option compared to full bridge replacement.
Total project costs are estimated at $6.3 million. The project will be funded through a combination of $1.96 million in grant funding, $0.94 million in reserves, and the remaining $3.4 million in borrowing. The impact to the average residential property would be approximately $13/year.
The city does not anticipate any cost differences between the different colour options, either initially or for ongoing maintenance.
FMI: www.courtenay.ca/fifthstreetbridge