LAURIE WEIR

A $150,000 fix to temporarily move the power line at Confederation Bridge could set construction back, but a successful $495,000 funding application is softening the setback.

Paul McMunn, the director of public works for the Town of Smiths Falls, shared the news during a regular council meeting on Monday, Jan. 27, noting the success of their application to the Green Construction Through Wood Program, administered by Natural Resources Canada. 

The town has budgeted nearly $1.4 million for this timber frame pedestrian bridge replacement. 

“Just $5,000 shy of half a million will go a long way on this project,” McMunn said. “The funding will help cover a portion of the costs for design, engineering, construction, and post-construction activities.”

The project team is now focused on the “critical path” to construction. One key issue involves an existing power cable suspended beneath the current bridge. However, disconnecting the cable isn’t straightforward, as it provides power to the Parks Canada lockhouse, administrative building, and museum.

The plan is to create an aerial crossing south of the dam, adjacent to the bridge, which will cross over the bridge before trenching to new transformers at both approaches.

“We’ve been working closely with Hydro One,” McMunn said. “That process has taken a long time, and there are many logistics to sort out.”

Hydro One’s work must be completed before the foundation and abutment construction can begin, McMunn explained. He is aiming for Hydro One to finish by the end of February, with Structure Craft beginning their work by mid-March.

“We can’t promise we’ll be done by Aug. 2 and the start of Old Home Week,” McMunn said. “But we’re aiming for that. If we’re not 100 per cent finished, we’ll be very close.”

Several permits still need to be cleared, McMunn said, as they continue discussions with the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Parks Canada. However, he reiterated that the team is focused on completing the work.

The town will be responsible for 100 per cent of the cost of the overhead crossing and 50 per cent of the cost to integrate it into the new bridge. The cost of the crossing is estimated at $120,000 to $150,000. McMunn clarified that Parks Canada is not responsible for this cost, as it falls within the municipal right-of-way.

Chief Administrative Officer Malcolm Morris praised McMunn’s efforts on the application, saying, “He was very tenacious but respectful, and it paid off. It’s a half-million dollars we didn’t expect.”