More money for bridge replacement

The provincial government is increasing its funding to help repair a destroyed bridge in Vaughan following a plea from residents that was backed by West Hants council.

In March, members of the board of directors for Canyon Point Creek requested assistance during a council meeting.

Council learned that the only entrance to Canyon

Point Resort, a bare land condominium property that opened in 2005, was destroyed during the flash flooding that hit the province in July 2023. A temporary laneway that was installed shortly thereafter flooded earlier this year due to another storm. Both incidents left residents stranded.

The community received $77,966 of the possible $200,000 available through the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program to help replace the bridge.

The estimated cost of the project is about $650,000.

West Hants Mayor Abraham Zebian wrote to the provincial government requesting it consider increasing the funding allotment as “residents could be forced to pay in excess of $9,000 or more per residence, causing significant financial hardship to many of the homeowners in the community.”

In a letter dated April 12, John Lohn, the minister responsible for the Emergency Management Office indicated the province “has been able to increase the disaster assistance funding to $165,677.”

In an interview April 30, Zebian said the increase in funding is “good news.”

At its March 26 meeting, council also requested West Hants’ chief administrative officer Mark Phillips contact GFL to request the company waive the fees associated with the removal of the bridge and debris. Zebian confirmed that those tipping fees will be waived.

West Hants council also voted to waive all building and development fees related to constructing the replacement bridge.