Bridge repair would close Skye Road for up to 12 weeks

Repair and rehabilitation work on the Skye Road underpass and bridge on Highway 417 will result in the closure of Skye Road for up to 12 weeks this summer, as well as temporary single-lane closures on the highway.

The closure of the road is expected to impact the 125 people who use the road every day, according to a study undertaken by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

Engineers from the MTO and the consulting firm hired for the project design, McIntosh Perry, held a public information session last Wednesday, January 26 at the Caledonia Community Centre in St-Bernardin, to advise nearby residents of the upcoming project.

"It's a fairly minor rehabilitation but it impacts traffic because we are proposing to detour traffic and close the bridge," explained MTO project engineer Peter Freure.

The official detour route around the bridge will take drivers from County Road 22 / Greenfield Road to Dunvegan Road, then north on County Road 34 to the split with County Road 23A, and then on to Skye Road.

The official detour is expected to add about 18 kilometres or about 14 minutes to the usual travel route.

However, drivers familiar with the area will have the option of using shorter routes, such as Fiskes Corners Road, to cross to the other side of the highway.

The single-lane closures on Highway 417 are expected to last a maximum of two weeks.

The work is necessary because "the bridge has reached a condition in its service life where minor rehabilitation is required," Freure noted, adding the MTO does periodic evaluation on its structures and the Skye Road bridge has shown "existing deterioration."

Built in 1973, the structure now contains several deficiencies, including deterioration on its asphalt surface, concrete deck, parapet wall and curbs; bridge expansion joint leakage; and deteriorated concrete on exposed surfaces of the substructure.

Repairs will also be undertaken on the bridge's soffit, after the underneath of the structure suffered impact damage in a recent truck accident.

The work includes asphalt removal and partial-depth concrete repairs on the deck, in curbs and in parapet walls; replacement of the expansion joints; substructure repairs; soffit repairs; and waterproofing and repaving of the deck.

Closing the bridge is the preferred alternative for the project, Freure explained, as keeping one lane open on the bridge's narrow span would likely prolong the construction period.

According to the ministry's initial impact assessment studies, there was no evidence of bird nesting activity on the structure and no species at risk were observed or are known to be present within the area. Sediment and erosion control will also be put in place prior to any excavation activities.

Despite the relatively minimal impact of the work, Freure noted the public consultation is a necessary process as "people choose to live away from urban centres because they want peace and quiet."

For Skye Road resident and dairy farmer Carl Macintosh, the concern is not one of noise but rather, the added cost of fuel.

He will be forced to use the detour twice a day for 12 weeks, as he travels between his residence and his dairy farm - both located on Skye Road, on opposite sides of the 417.

"Sure, I can wake up 15 minutes earlier to get to the farm, but if gas goes up to $1.50 a litre this summer and there's an extra 60 kilometres I'm driving every day, that's going to add up," he said.

As part of the public comment period, Mcintosh is asking the MTO for monetary compensation to offset his additional expenses.

The public is asked to submit their comments during this period, which is in effect until next Wednesday, February 9. Those wishing to make comments can contact Freure at 1-800-267-0295 ext. 4854 or peter.freure@ontario.ca as well as Laura Donaldson of McIntosh Perry Consulting Engineers at 613-542-3788 ext. 117 or l.donaldson@mcintoshperry.com.

Freure explained that the project engineers will request the project be "stepped down" from Group B to Group C, if it is determined the project will not significantly affect the environment and if the MTO decides there is no benefit in preparing a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR).

The classification step-down will depend on the comments received during the public comment period.

If the project remains Group B, the TESR will be produced and will document the environmental assessment study; it would be available for 30 days and advertised in local newspapers. If the project is stepped down, an internal report will be produced.

Residents with serious, unresolved concerns also have the right to request the Ministry of Environment "bump up" the project to a Part II Order, which may lead to an individual environmental assessment.