As reported in The London Free Press, back to the plan, council decided Tuesday night, bucking a political push to reject a “fancy” replacement for a deteriorating bridge that sees 12,000 cars cross it every day.

Safety and expediency won out as council voted not to re-open the design for a new Victoria Bridge, a failed push from Coun. Michael van Holst that gained traction at civic works committee last week. City staff warned changing the design could delay the bridge replacement by six months to several years.

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It means the $14 million arch planned to replace the 93-year-old bridge on Ridout Street will be constructed as planned in 2022.

“I’m worried the cost of deferral will have financial and physical impacts and progress delays,” Coun. Elizabeth Peloza — the lone opponent to van Holst’s motion at last week’s civic works committee, when politicians voted to look at a cheaper designs – said Tuesday.

“We’re now hearing it might not get done until the next term of council and we’re delaying it to another term of council. I question how many councils have to deal with this bridge,” she said.

Council voted 9-4 against looking for a cheaper design – which would have required an addition to the environmental impact study – with councillors Steve Hillier, Shawn Lewis and Phil Squire backing van Holst. Arielle Kayabaga and Paul Van Meerbergen were absent from the debate, and all others were in favour of going ahead with the original replacement.

Keep reading in The London Free Press