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Hastings Bridge Closure 2012 Information: Parks Canada has announced the Hastings bridge will be closed for repair starting on October 12, 2012 for approximately 16 weeks. Though this required repair work is vital to the safe operation and use of the bridge, it will have an enormous impact on daily travel and life for Hastings residents as well as the Trent Hills community at large. The Municipality of Trent Hills is committed to working with the residents, businesses and the community organizations of Hastings to mitigate the impact of this closure and ensure that Hastings remains "Open for Business." Survive the Bridge Repairs Blog: |
Documents: Letter from the Mayor of Trent Hills - Jan 31, 2012 Public Meeting Presentation - November 17, 2011 Parks Canada Information Bulletin - August 23, 2011
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Municipal Activity:
The Hastings Bridge is a federal asset and will be closed and repaired by the Trent Severn Waterway. The Municipality of Trent Hills will continue to deliver all services to Hastings throughout the closure and assist in any way possible to mitigate the impact of this closure. All emergency services will be delivered throughout the closure, the community will be marketed leading up to and during the bridge repair, and the Municipality will support and work closely with the local business community. Listed below are a number of specific actions taken by the Municipality of Trent Hills on behalf of Trent Hills residents and businesses to date:
January 25, 2012 - Letter sent to Members of Parliament Rick Norlock and Dean Del Mastro by Mayor Hector Macmillan requesting their participation in a public meeting.
January 17, 2012 - Inquiry sent to Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation by Mayor Hector Macmillan to determine if federal funding may be available through the Eastern Ontario Development Program for assistance with the marketing of Hastings. The next intake for funding applications is May, 2012 and representatives from Northumberland CFDC will attend the next Trent Hills Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting to discuss potential funding applications.
January 12, 2012 - Trent Hills Council direct a written request be sent to Trent Severn Waterway to delay closure date until January, 2013, as well as for funding to assist with marketing efforts.
January 12, 2012 - Municipal staff advise the newly formed volunteer group Hastings Helpers that the Municipality of Trent Hills will provide financial support for their start-up costs. Specifically, the Municipality will cover the costs of the Hastings Helpers' domain name purchase, logo creation, flyer printing, as well as their initial recruitment newspaper ad .
January 11, 2012 - Trent Hills Council directed the hiring of In2Marketing Consulting www.in2marketing.ca. They have been hired by the Municipality to develop a marketing plan to provide guidance on promoting Hastings leading up to and during the bridge closure. This will be an overall marketing campaign for the Municipality of Trent Hills to encourage visitors to visit Hastings throughout the closure as well as to ensure local Trent Hills residents continue to shop in Hastings. The marketing plan is expected to be completed by the end of February, 2012 and will be presented in a public meeting shortly thereafter in Hastings.
There is $25,000 included in the Municipal budget for the marketing of Hastings in 2012 (subject to Council approval).
January 10, 2012 - Trent Hills Council requested Trent Severn Waterway delay the closing of bridge to the beginning of January, 2013. The rationale for this request is to move the business interruption away from the holiday season. Council requested a meeting be organized with Members of Parliament Rick Norlock and Dean Del Mastro.
December 5, 2011 - Proposal to examine feasibility of CNR bridge as a second/temporary crossing is presented to Council. This preliminary assessment of the CNR railway bridge was undertaken to determine the feasibility of utilizing this bridge as a secondary crossing throughout the closure. A more detailed study is required to make a determination on the appropriateness of this bridge as a temporary crossing, estimated at a cost of $12,000. Council directs staff to refer this matter to the Trent Severn Waterway, as detour routes are their responsibility.
November 17, 2011 - First of three planned public meetings hosted by the Municipality of Trent Hills. The intent of the meeting was to introduce the action plan which includes the development of a marketing plan to assist in mitigating the impact of the closure on local businesses. Also, the Municipality is committed to continue to provide all essential and municipal services throughout the closure. Details on school busing, ambulance service, fire protection, etc. will be communicated at the third public meeting targeted for the summer, 2012.
The public meeting was an opportunity for local businesses to bring forward marketing ideas and to brainstorm. These suggestions have been compiled and are available here.
Representatives from Trent Severn Waterway were on hand, along with members of Trent Hills Council and staff to discuss the details of the closure as well as the reasoning behind it.
October 4, 2011 - Trent Severn Waterway staff present plan for bridge repair at public Council meeting, CAO Mike Rutter brought forward a staff report outlining Municipal action plan.
Trent Severn Waterway staff stated that safety is their primary concern, and feel confident their plan to rehabilitate the bridge is the best course of action. Possible mitigation measures/creative solutions were put forward including: allow extended working hours and days for repair crews; have pedestrian access throughout the closure; community strategies for cross river parking; busing; delivery services; community strategies to promote visitors to come to Hastings despite the closure.
September 8, 2011 - Meeting with Trent Severn Waterway staff, members of Trent Hills Council and staff. The Trent Severn Waterway have decided to rehabilitate the existing bridge rather than replace it. This TSW decision was based on a cost analysis of a new bridge versus repairing the existing bridge, as well as the reduced closure time and the lower cost to taxpayers.
August 23, 2011 - Meeting with Trent Severn Waterway staff, Trent Hills staff, Council, Northumberland County staff, and OPP to discuss load restrictions on bridge. Notifications will be posted and provided to trucking associations and load limits will be enforced by OPP.
August 2, 2011 - Members of Trent Hills Council and staff met with Trent Severn Waterway staff. The discussion was regarding the decision to replace or rehabilitate the Hastings bridge. It was decided by the Trent Severn Waterway that interim repair work would be done, and the decision to replace or rehabilitate deferred. The Municipality of Trent Hills hired engineering firm Aecom to have an initial review of the CNR Railway bridge and the approches to assess the appropriateness of using this bridge as a detour route/temporary crossing.
Please send your questions and input on the Hastings Bridge Closure to hastingsbridge@trenthills.ca
Continue to check back to this web page for up to date information on the Hastings bridge closure.
