FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 17, 2015
QUEEN’S PARK – MPP Toby Barrett continues to question when construction will resume on the Cayuga bridge.
During the Legislature’s first week back, Barrett asked Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca for an update since it is approaching a year since construction workers were forced off the bridge.
Barrett also highlighted ongoing issues: “The temporary bridge is a problem for farm machinery and for large trucks. It’s an eyesore,” Barrett said during Question Period. “I regularly receive calls from Cayuga wanting to know when the newer bridge will be completed.”
Minister Del Duca said he “will continue to endeavour to reach a resolution.”
This is not the first time Barrett has asked about the Cayuga bridge in the Legislature, besides writing a letter on the issue and asking through an Order Paper Question. He has yet to be told when construction will resume.
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For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
ONTARIO LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY DRAFT HANSARD
SEPT. 17, 2015
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
Mr. Toby Barrett: To the Minister of Transportation: We are approaching one year since construction has been shut down on the Cayuga Bridge on provincial Highway 3 because of intimidation. The minister’s letter of August 14 said construction was paused due to a request from the Haudenosaunee Development Institute, or HDI, out of Six Nations. Well, they walked out on the bridge and the construction workers left.
The temporary bridge is a problem for farm machinery and for large trucks. It’s an eyesore. I regularly receive calls from Cayuga wanting to know when the newer bridge will be completed. The original was built in 1924.
When will construction workers be allowed back on the bridge? The Minister of Transportation’s letter in August noted a date for resumption of work has not been scheduled. Can he now tell this House if a date for start-up has been set?
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member opposite for this question. I know he’s raised this particular issue in the Legislature in the past and some of my colleagues on this side have had the chance to answer as well.
Of course, the Ministry of Transportation is keen to see progress on this issue. We know it’s important to this particular part of the province. We are in consultation on a regular basis not only with our partners and stakeholders in the community but also the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to make sure that we are successfully fulfilling our responsibilities with respect to the duty to consult. We will continue to endeavour to reach a resolution on this very important matter.
I have no concern whatsoever, of course, with respect to keeping this particular member, should he have additional questions offline outside of the chamber itself to keep him in the loop as they say with respect to what’s happening in this part of the province. As soon as the ministry can provide a comprehensive answer by way of a specific update, I’ll be happy to provide that information.