91���˵���

TEHKUMMAH—Until it can afford a permanent bridge over Concession 2, a temporary solution has been agreed to by Tehkummah Township council.

At a meeting last week council approved executing repairs to get the Concession 2 bridge open to allow for a three-ton limit load on it until a new bridge can be purchased, and the township can afford the costs involved.

Peggy Young-Lovelace, interim clerk of Tehkummah told The Expositor after the meeting, “Council agreed to fix the bridge on a temporary basis and look at buying a new bridge down the line.” She explained the township doesn’t currently have the funds to purchase the new bridge at a cost of about $350,000 plus a cost of about $100,000 for its installation and can’t borrow funds for a new bridge until its 2023 audits are completed. And with the province having withheld funding to the township due to the issue with the audits, the township cannot apply for funding. 

Ms. Young-Lovelace explained the bridge repairs are a temporary solution to the problem until the township can afford to borrow funds and apply for funding from the province. 

The Albrecht family (who live across the Concession 2 bridge along with several other residents, including some cottagers) had contacted a bridge company in British Columbia and were told they could provide a temporary bridge, however, it was found to be cost prohibitive.