This article mentions Reversing Falls Bridge, the only passage from West Saint John for cyclists and pedestrians. It has bumpy, patchy asphalt, narrow sidewalks and heavy automobile traffic including large tractor trailers.
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Published Monday June 8th, 2009
SAINT JOHN – Consultants working with city staff on the proposed water treatment system have suggested a pedestrian bridge crossing Reversing Falls could carry one of two new water lines.
A pedestrian bridge that would cross Reversing Falls has been proposed by consultants as a way of laying water lines from one side of the city to the other.
But that won’t happen anytime soon, said the city’s deputy water commissioner.
“It’s something that has been recommended for future consideration,” Brent McGovern said. “We feel it’s something that is going to be necessary with the one-plant option at some point. However, to spread out costs, we’re looking at constructing two water mains under the existing bridge.”
There are risks associated with running both water mains under the same bridge, he said.
If the city decides to build one water treatment plant, rather than two, those risks increase.
“Two new water pipes will provide us with confidence, however there’s still risk associated with having them crossing one bridge.”
If something happened to the bridge, the water supply for west side households could be affected, however the Spruce Lake facility would be used as a backup.
The two new water mains at Reversing Falls are slated to cost $3.8 million. Under the one-plant scenario, two insulated 500-millimetre pipes would carry potable water to west side customers from the east. The pipes are one of the six water project applications – together worth almost $24 million – the city has submitted for federal stimulus funding.
McGovern said building the pedestrian bridge would be a good idea in the future for security of water supply but also to improve the Reversing Falls area.
“Instead of building something that serves one purpose, it’s looking at the broader sense,” he said. “But we have to ensure the cost feasibility of it.”
Deputy Mayor Stephen Chase suggested the pedestrian bridge is another frill the city can’t afford.
“It’s a nice concept, but quite frankly, there are a lot of immediate priorities such as the basics of getting water,” he said. “With water costs what they are right now, and what they may be, we certainly don’t need a lot of these extra features that don’t really add to delivering water itself.”
He said before the city builds a bridge, they should improve roads and sidewalks.
“What we really need is a pipe to get the water across the river,” he said. “I’d be looking at quality before I’d be looking at fancy bridges.”
Coun. Bruce Court said he only wants what is cheapest for the taxpayer.
“Whatever way’s cheapest for the citizens, that’s the way I’d like to go,” he said.
Coun. Donnie Snook agreed lowering costs is an important part of considering the consultants’ recommendations.
“The bottom line for me at this point is, I am open to considering the proposals. I think we have to when we see the savings are going to be significant.”
The Ontario engineering firm reviewing Saint John’s water plan has suggested the city could slash millions off the estimated $214-million water system by building one plant rather than two.
