The Cull Drain Bridge is dismantled and removed. November 27, 2014 (Blackburnnews.com photo by Jake Jeffrey)The Cull Drain Bridge is dismantled and removed. November 27, 2014 (Blackburnnews.com photo by Jake Jeffrey)
Sarnia

City councillor wants action on Cull Drain Bridge

After four years and no action, one of Sarnia's new city councillors wants to know what's happening with the Cull Drain Bridge.

The historic trusses were left in Mike Weir Park when the bridge was dismantled and removed in November 2014.

They've been fenced off there ever since, which Councillor Bill Dennis describes as an "eyesore."

He says residents aren't happy about the rusty structure being stored there and have concerns about children scaling the fence and getting hurt.

"During the campaign, there was a candidates fair at Mike Weir Park and that was one of the number one issues that was brought up at that event, and probably for every two or three people that came by my booth that was an issue that was brought up," said Dennis. "People just want some resolution."

A group called the "Friends of the Cull Drain Bridge" had plans to preserve it.

"There has to be some action, there's been a lot of talk and a lot of inaction," he said. "We just have to get something going here. It's a lovely old bridge, there's a lot of history attached to it, but is there a plan in place? If there is a plan in place, clearly that plan isn't working. We have to work together and figure out a solution."

Dennis is presenting council with a motion Monday asking staff to report back with an update on the project.

"If the solutions or the plan in place is not workable, then we have to make some tough decisions and our decisions have to be based on logic, not on emotion," he said. "These solutions can't cost taxpayers a bundle of money, because we simply can't afford it."

The former city council voted unanimously to salvage the trusses, which cost taxpayers $115,000 more than the quote given to remove and dispose of the entire bridge structure.

The Old Lakeshore Road structure had to be removed for safety reasons after engineers said it was in danger of collapse.

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