Costly repairs in sight for Henderson Bridge - Central Frontenac Council - Nov. 14

Craig Bakay | Nov 23, 2023

While Central Frontenac Council has yet to officially begin deliberations for the 2024 budget, there were no shortage of big ticket items presented at the Nov. 14 regular meeting in Sharbot Lake that, if approved, would have significant impacts not only for this budget, but several budgets to come.

Not the least of which came in the form of a Safe Roads Engineering report from Marc MacIntosh that outlined the statis of the Henderson Road Bridge in a Rehabilitation Options Study.

Two options were presented — a Minor Rehabilitation and Semi-Integral Conversion to the tune of $1,120,000 and a ‘Minor Rehabilitation’ for $582,000.

“A million is a huge impact on our budget,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “Thanks for the not very good news but it’s information we needed to have.”

MacIntosh said that the abutment bearings as well as the expansion joints and seals need replacing. Also chipping and patching of the delaminated areas on the deck and substructure is needed, along with localized repairs to the existing barrier wall and railings and addition of a new asphalt wearing surface and hot applied waterproofing membrane and retrofit of the existing deck drains.

That’s the minor rehabilitation.

Option 2 would include all the work from the previous option plus the addition of new approach slabs and sleeper slabs; replacement of the expansion joints beyond the end of the deck; and reconstruction of the deck ends and ballast wall.

The good news is that substructure components exhibited minimal damage or deterioration and as such semi-integral conversion is not warranted based on the condition of substructure, he said.

“(But) we need to address immediate performance needs of the structure in the bearings and expansion joint,” he said. “(And) the addition of concrete curb and gutters as well as the addition of asphalt pavement would reduce ongoing maintenance needs.”

He said roadside safety hardware needs to be updated to current standards as well.

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Council accepted the new Township Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan from Terry Gervais of Loomex Group and Fire Chief/Manager of Emergency Services Chris McDonough, which includes an updated list of responsibilities and structure as well as recommendations for the Emergency Operations Centre and back-up Ops Centre.

“Before, it was difficult to call co many people but this is more efficient,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

The plan also calls for a new standby generator for the Ops Centre (which is Firehall No. 3) at a cost of $80,000.

“Are you applying for a grant for that?” asked Coun. Nicki Gowdy.

“Already applied,” said McDonough. “But, there’s only $50,000 available,” said McDonough.

Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith asked about the possibility of Station 2 (Mountain Grove) or Station 4 (Parham), both of which have relatively recent renovations as replacements for the back-up Ops Centre inside of the Municipal Offices.

McDonough said that either of the firehalls would suit those needs.

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“There are no public washrooms available on the Trail from Kingston to Calabogie, so there would be opportunities to partner with several organizations,” Public Washroom Working Committee Chair Alison Robinson told Council. Robinson was presenting some preliminary sketches and drawings for the proposed new washrooms at Oso Beach.

She said there is a Trillium grant available with a Nov. 30 deadline and they could partner with “a lot of trail organizations who would love to see a public washroom on the trail.”

To that end, the proposed new facility would include features like a heated floor and a bench to sit on while removing a snowmobile suit.

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“When last we heard, there were about 80 applications for building permits on your desk,” Coun. Nicki Gowdy said to Chief Building Official Andy Dillon.

“It’s about 20 now,” Dillon said. “And most of those have missing information.”

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Council passed bylaws increasing planning fees as well a bylaw to change the zoning of the Tichborne Rink site.

When one councillor asked if this meant the rink will need its own 911 number, Mayor Frances Smith responded, “it probably does, but trust me, the ambulance guys know where the rink is.”

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Council acknowledged Township employee Steve Gould for achieving AORS Certified Supervisor Certification and Jody Legue, for completing Unit 1 of t