Discussions

At the very worst do the short term repairs. This would take at least a year to complete at an est. Cost of 2 million. This would extend the life by 3-5 years max. This would allow it to function as a second north/south route when they tear down the 18th bridge. Build the new 18th street bridge, and tear down the 8th. This would also give the city 5ish years to come up with a pedestrian solution, along with the needed capital. As a note though after the 18th street bridge is completed not one cent more should be spent on the 8th street bridge. Make a bylaw that it must come down so the next council can't get nostalgic and try to save it

Why does it have to be a bridge?  
 
If it is a secondary/auxiliary road why can't it just be a road across? Blocked trains seems better than it costing millions of dollars

building a bridge suitable for vehicular traffic then I am against the spending of 11 million for a pedestrian/bicycle bridge.  
 
a few years ago when talk of the 18th. street bridge came up the province said that no work could be started on 18th. unless the 8th. street bridge was open for traffic. So what happened?  
 
There needs to be some kind of access road or bridge for emergency vehicles, safety should come first!

Garret said "Why does it have to be a bridge?     If it is a secondary/auxiliary road why can't it just be a road across? Blocked trains seems better than it costing millions of dollars "

cross train tracks on foot every single day so I agree!

$11 million for a pedestrian bridge where people have been stabbed/attacked..? Sounds like a waste of millions to me. I used to and would utilize a vehicle bridge but a pedestrian one I would never go on again.

How many people would be homeless if they tore the 8th street bridge down?

i wonder if any count has been made of the number of people that walk over the bridge , i have seen very few , a level crossing a block or 2 west would be more cost effective . the railway would need to co-operate with where they stop the trains but that should not be a really big deal. i am not in favor of a pedestrian bridge without more study . it would be nice to see the derelict knocked down though.

Who recommends that they build a pedestrian bridge are they from Brandon. We need that bridge. Like some one stated above I would drive across the 8th sometimes but I would never feel the need to walk across a bridge in the middle of the ghetto.

CP Rail would never allow at grade crossings through their rail yard.  
 
So there was one incident of violence on the bridge. Not like it couldn't of happened at any time before it's closure.  
 
And the only reason why the Province is even planning to do anything with 18th St. bridge is solely to appease impatient Brandon drivers. It has nothing to do with any structural issues.  
 
But like I said, it's a no win for City Council. People will be upset not matter what they do with the bridge.  
 
http://www.cklq.com/index.php?id=62&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=10694&cHash=5e312a3f21157fe2c6aac0f99e95cea8  
 
 
 
Edited by Trevor B, 2016-04-02 23:12:53

11 million over 3 years is about 1100 a day. How much is that per use as a pedestrian bridge? I think if vehicles can't use it it is a waste of money in Brandon.

The vast majority of Brandonites don't want to waste another dime on the 8th St bridge. No pedestrian bridge either.  
 
In three years, everyone will adjust to the new reality and we'll all forget that there was ever a bridge there.  
 
Millions of tax dollars saved!

How many people live in the area from Parker to stickney between 17-6 that have no way out if there is a flash flood now ? That bridge is actually needed for safety to get out quickly if it floods in the low areas. I think people forget how isolated that area is.

Lets stop TRAINS for pedestrians. Seems like a simple, viable, cost effective solution to me. 11 million seems a ridiculous number too though!

casualobserver said "Lets stop TRAINS for pedestrians. Seems like a simple, viable, cost effective solution to me. 11 million seems a ridiculous number too though! "

I bet some of those trains carry 11 million worth of cargo alone. You never know what's on em. Hell there gunna stop for some pedestrians. Car bridge or no bridge.

RainaRo said "How many people live in the area from Parker to stickney between 17-6 that have no way out if there is a flash flood now ? That bridge is actually needed for safety to get out quickly if it floods in the low areas. I think people forget how isolated that area is. "

When has there been a flash flood that required a mass evacuation? The evacuation in 2011 was a precautionary against the possible over topping of the dike.  
 
There are plenty of ways out. 18th and 26th for starters. It's not that isolated.

as my north end friend pointed out, the bridge is already a pedestrian crossing.  
 
The CP wouldn't allow crossing on their tracks but the company is not willing to chip in to help pay? That's bs!

O.K. I live in Green Acres and work at Rideau Park personal care home. I would sure like the city to build me a bridge across the tracks at Rideau street so I don't have to travel that extra 2 miles to get to work. Even a pedestrian bridge would be nice so the kids in Green Acres can get to the Kinsmen pool.  
 
I mean come on quite often 1st street or 17th street is blocked by trains, if I had a bridge at Rideau street problem solved.  
 
Oh yes since they built the main firehall down in the flats where 95% of the population don't live chances are I wont make it to the hospital as the tracks will be blocking the ambulance from getting to me or taking me to the hospital. So come on let's have a bridge at Rideau street.  
 
For 11 million dollars it is a no brainer...tear the damn bridge down and forget about building a pedestrian bridge for all of the derelicts to hang out on.  
 
P.S. to city council.. just remember there are plenty of areas that don't have a bridge that are inconvenienced besides the flats. You can't throw 11 million dollars of money away that could be better spent fixing roads in the city.  
 
Edited by Reggie 2, 2016-04-03 08:46:49

If anything happens around Parker or stickney we are in a tight spot. Go for a drive see that if those two places were cut off before 18th how do those people get out ? And flash floods happen a lot maybe not in that area but how many times did we get flooded 2 yrs ago from hard and heavy rain ?

How many times has that turned into a safety concern because roads were closed? There are lots of places in the city with only one or two ways in and out. Should every cul de sac have an emergency escape bridge in case of flash flooding?  
 
Edited by ultraguy, 2016-04-03 09:08:13

Reggie 2 said "O.K. I live in Green Acres and work at Rideau Park personal care home. I would sure like the city to build me a bridge across the tracks at Rideau street so I don't have to travel that extra 2 miles to get to work. Even a pedestrian bridge would be nice so the kids in Green Acres can get to the Kinsmen pool.     I mean come on quite often 1st street or 17th street is blocked by trains, if I had a bridge at Rideau street problem solved.     Oh yes since they built the main firehall down in the flats where 95% of the population don't live chances are I wont make it to the hospital as the tracks will be blocking the ambulance from getting to me or taking me to the hospital. So come on let's have a bridge at Rideau street.     For 11 million dollars it is a no brainer...tear the damn bridge down and forget about building a pedestrian bridge for all of the derelicts to hang out on.     P.S. to city council.. just remember there are plenty of areas that don't have a bridge that are inconvenienced besides the flats. You can't throw 11 million dollars of money away that could be better spent fixing roads in the city.     Edited by Reggie 2, 2016-04-03 08:46:49"

obviously doesn't concern or affect you Reggie. It affects other people.  
 
Why be so flippant about the issue? By the sounds of it the city admin. made their minds up awhile ago. You need a bridge in the east end? Because you can't access numerous ways to get off the street you live on?

RainaRo said "How many people live in the area from Parker to stickney between 17-6 that have no way out if there is a flash flood now ? That bridge is actually needed for safety to get out quickly if it floods in the low areas. I think people forget how isolated that area is. "

The first question to be asked is how many flash floods have there been in that area over the past 50 years that required emergency evacuation ?  
 
If such an event did occur, the city can declare a state of emergency. This allows them access to private property, including CPR property. That means that the city could coordinate with CP to create a temporary corridor for people affected by such a flood to cross to Pacific Avenue.  
 
Or, for far less than the cost of a bridge, the city could lease a half dozen large buses during potential flood season. The buses could be parked at strategic spots and then move people affected by a flash flood. This would be much, much cheaper, and more efficient than building a new bridge.  
 
My vote: tear it down.  

Actually as a taxpayer it does affect me.  
 
As you have been a constant critic of city spending I find it strange that you are all for blowing 11 million dollars on a walking bridge for an area that is well served by the Daly overpass and 26th street crossing, but not a bridge in the East end.

There are many other locations in the city where streets get flooded. But never once has it resulted in a mass evacuation. I live next to a street that gets flooded out in heavy rains.  
 
It's also funny how we want the Province to spend millions on a structurally sound bridge just so we don't have to be caught in congestion of only brief periods of the day. There are far worse bridges that NEED to be rebuilt.

Of course the people it doesn't concern want it torn down but I used the bridge every day at least twice a day and I will never get used to not having it. 18 th street is a problem and what about when they start construction. A nightmare!!!!!!

So the city should build a brand new bridge to avoid congestion during the short period while 18th is being redone? That sounds excessive, very few cities do that.

Reggie 2 said "Actually as a taxpayer it does affect me.     As you have been a constant critic of city spending I find it strange that you are all for blowing 11 million dollars on a walking bridge for an area that is well served by the Daly overpass and 26th street crossing, but not a bridge in the East end. "

in favour of spending 11 million on a pedestrian bridge, read above. lol  
 
You know what? I know and talk to a lot of people in this city, a lot of them well off in the money department too and they say the same as me TAXES IN THIS CITY ARE TOO DAMN HIGH.  
 
So yes I feel free to voice my concerns.  
 
The idea of a pedestrian bridge (bike) came from people associated with a local paper if my memory serves me correctly. Oh yes it would be nice to have but as someone posted just how many people cross that bridge walking? 11 millions dollars worth? I think not!

Johnbisonbear said "as my north end friend pointed out, the bridge is already a pedestrian crossing.     The CP wouldn't allow crossing on their tracks but the company is not willing to chip in to help pay? That's bs! "

Not Cp's concern. If it was they would double fence the tracks and force the issue to the city.  
 
Five tracks to cross means no type of ground crossing would ever be allowed.  
 
The current bridge is not pedestrian/wheel chair or scooter friendly. Especially in winter.  
 
11 million. Stupid amount.  
 
As noted in the sun, some feel that this bridge serves only hundreds. A thousand at best.  
 
Wrong The last traffic count I heard was 3500 vehicles a day before it closed.  
 
Yes they will be forced to use other bridges bur there was and in spite of new bridges a need for most of that traffic.  
 
I also will point out 3500 a day does not mean 3500 people.  
City buses tend to have one or two people kn them.  
 
Most cars/trucks have more than one seat.  
 
If we are forced to spend 11 million I suggest a vehicle bridge at 30 million is just as stupid but would continue to serve more than a few hundred and be a safety valve.  
 
I have seen both 18th and first street bridges blocked at the same time in a snow storm. Yet 8th was open. Go figure.  
 
Find a cheaper pedestrian option I suggest. Two options in 2012 were a new bridge at 9th wiggling its way over to Parker.  
 
The second at fifth. I liked the second but rethought that since. Sixth is now one hundred percent ready for more traffic unlike 9th. It also is a route directly attached to Richmond avenue. That would give us three direct routes from South Brandon to the North. That area on Pacific down to 1st and up to 9th is due for redeployment by the private sector and this could launch it.  
 
 
 
Edited by Doug, 2016-04-03 12:32:41

Railway has got no interest in any options at all - why , because they can . I sure hope they would double fence the section of tracks that would finally be a sound barrier for the engines they leave rumbling all night for no reason in that residential area.I know some will say they been here before and the city was build around the tracks - yawn that is getting so old - just remind them how long the trains were back then and make them move further out every time they extent the lengths of their trains so they won't block 26th street - as for the 8th street bridge - 11 mil for a pedestrian bridge is just not a good idea IMO even tough I live in that end I would never use it as a pedestrian and I agree with above poster that the vehicle traffic was way higher than 1000 vehicles a day .....

The City Of Brandon is only responsible for one bridge. That bridge is the 8th street bridge! The City is responsible for maintaining that bridge. 1st street bridge and 18th street bridge are Provincial bridges, so the Government is responsible for most of the costs.  
The average lifespan of any bridge would be 75 to 100 years. So any idea why there has never been any reserved money put away for the maintenance / and or replacement of the 8th street bridge?  
The bridge was built in the 1930's, it was last upgraded in 1967. So why no upgrades or repairs in 49 years? So why did it get to the state that it is now? It has obviously been totally neglected.  
The City always wants to put money into revitalizing the downtown....the bridge would be part of downtown.  
If you need an ambulance, the ambulance is close by, but those precious moments of getting you to the hospital, are gonna take you longer.....you have to go to 18th street, and if there happens to be an accident or blockage of any sort on that bridge (which happens alot), then you go to 26th street . You are now so much farther away, than what you started with......  
The Northend area pays their taxes too, so why should it be ignored to the point where it gets decayed and run down?  
This year we had a rather mild winter....maybe all the money that had been budgeted for the snow removal can be put into the bridge funds. That should be a couple of million right there!  
When the City had a meeting for the residents that live in the Northend to discuss the bridge last year.....it was pretty obvious then, there was no hope.....yes, it is alot of money.....but like I said....the City has had many of years to be putting money away for that bridge, the only one bridge that the City is responsible for!