By Kenyon Wallace

The City of Hamilton is hoping CN Rail will share the cost of replacing an aging bridge that became the municipality’s responsibility during the 1990s when the province downloaded infrastructure maintenance.

Built in 1934, the two-track bridge passes over the Centennial Parkway and is used by CN Rail to ship freight and by VIA Rail for passenger service. When the city inspected the bridge in 2009, officials recommended the structure be replaced as it was nearing the end of its lifespan.

But with a $10 million price tag for a massive project that will require both rail traffic as well as road traffic to be diverted, Hamilton is facing a budget crunch it can scarcely afford.

“A lot of people say, ‘Well, why does the city own a railway bridge?’” said Gary Moore, Hamilton’s director of engineering.

Moore said he is hoping to share the cost of reconstruction with CN and GO Transit, which has a long-term plan to build a station near the bridge in the next five years. The city this week approved a request by the engineering department to start discussions with the railway companies.

Moore said CN is planning to add two more tracks, meaning the company might be willing to share some of the cost. “If I can leverage and say, ‘Well you’re going to pay for your tracks,’ I won’t have to pay $2 million for a rail detour,” he told QP Briefing.

The city was not aware that it owned the bridge until a few years ago. Moore explained that, prior to amalgamation of Hamilton with surrounding areas in 2001, there was very little integrated asset management.

“It’s been brought to the fore and it’s a good thing. You now have a better idea of what you need to take care of – and the condition it is in – and how much it costs to replace,” Moore said.

The city aims to start the bridge replacement project in the latter half of 2013 with an eye to completing the job by the end of 2014.

Hamilton turns to CN for help

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