Forks Road Bridge

Waste

Where are statistics on actual usage of that bridge, a likely 15 million dollar investment with over runs for a extremely small portion of Wellands population, does usage warrant the appropriation of this kind of money versus spreading those funds for infustructure for all of Welland, come on travel up the road to Townline road, what a HUGE waste of taxpayer money when there’s no information on the usage and it was used by trucks as a short cut to Townline road, give your heads a shake..show us the facts of prior usage , people have adjusted just like when the bridge was taken out by the boat in Port Robinson life went on. The city needs to keep 12-and more likely 15 million for appropriate infustructure needs throughout the Welland area as so much is falling apart. Port Robinson Bridge was triple the usage versus Dain City . If Dain City feels they need this short cut to or from Port Colborne, then this should be done with money from taxes from Dain City Residents, not all of Wellands taxes for such a small yes small population. Travel to Townline for ETR either way there certainly wouldn’t be overcrowding out of Dain City. Most people never taken the Dain City bridge only the small population in a Dain City for SHORT CUTS.. what’s the difference maybe 5 klm. (Gas vs Time vs inconvenience vs 12-15 a Million dollars ) Really a no brainer , NO. So for emergency services they can come past the old John deer to Dain City or the roughly 1 klm from the lights to hwy 58 to the opposite side. The bridge had its days of traffic when Union Carbide, John Deere and Stelco were places of employment, they have been gone, the requirements of needing this bridge at a cost of 12 more like 15 million will additional costs. I understand my comments are likely not welcome by residents in Dain City even though they may have a minor inconvenience they also know the costs are not proportional to the usage and requirements Perhaps Remove the structure, fill in canal with allowance of water pipes for flowing water, pave over No bridge necessary at those crazy costs and ongoing maintenance requirements, better yet go around and the city can reduce city residents 100.00 per r for 5 yrs as a incentive

new bridge is a must

Back to 1970's, there were four ways to Dain City, canal bank to Welland, Kingsway to Port Colborne, welland bridge 18 to ELM st. and Forks Road East. When the new canal was built, two ways were closed---one to Port Colborne ,one to Forks Road East, the residents concerned about the safety around Dain City, city promised welland bridge 18 could be there forever. When bi-diesel factory was built, residents asked if something happened in the factory,the railway was blocked, it could be dangerous for Dain City people, city promised the same thing, use welland bridge 18, it could be there for ever. Now the bridge was closed, Dain city only have one way in and out, if the railway was blocked or car accident happened on Kingsway St. ,the whole Dain City could be isolated, we don't want to see this happen! Now it is not the time to vote for the bridge,it is time to raise funds! As the mayor Allan Pietz said: new bridge is a must.

Replace immediately no excuses.

Make the existing blocked off roadway a permanent one.

The roadway just behind the rowing club is already there, upgrade it and make it a permanent roadway at least in the interim until the bridge is replaced. .

New South End Bridge

*Additonal Benefit to Plan: Were this bridge to service Port Colborne, Welland, and the Railway, there is the possibility cost could be shared by partners — and eligible for Federal Rail/Trade corridor grants — thus saving the city money. Dain City is so close to Port Colborne yet so isolated. Rather than replacing the Forks Road bridge, the City should create a new bridge that links Kingsway across to Intervose Dr/Elm St, creating a new North to south link. Perhaps this connection could even extend to King St, Port Colborne, behind the Canal lands. This would greatly reduce the time to get from South Welland to Port Colborne, and restore some ofthe historic connectivity that these communities had before the 1970s canal bypass was constructed. Further more, a single bridge span north to south could service railway service doubly and greatly improve north to south track connectivity. The old railway bridge is not in much better shape than the now defunct Forks Rd Bridge. Someday it will need to addressed, why not plan now? Reinstate the north-south track through Dain city and link it back with Port Colborne using a proposed combined use bridge. The track would service canal lands with additional rail service. Also, If there were long term future interest in regional commuter train this route would rapidly service Port and Welland — avoiding the significant detour through Feeder.