The Hope
Standard
A 4-0 loss in game six ends the Chiefs season 17
Office: 604.869.2421
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012
w w w. h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m n e w s @ h o p e s t a n d a r d . c o m
REDEVELOPMENT OF MINE CONSIDERED
An all-seasons resort is currently being proposed
2 CHILLIWACK-HOPE BYELECTION SET
Creosote-soaked timber from the Sucker’s Creek Bridge has been falling into the water, causing an environmental hazard for spawning fish. The bridge is now slated to be replaced, thanks to a funding surplus from the Kawkawa Lake Road Bridge project.
Voters will cast a ballot for new MLA on April 19
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KERRIE-ANN SCHOENIT THE STANDARD
HMC OUTDOOR PROGRAM FUNDED Nestle Waters to provide $61,000 over three years
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INSIDE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Community . . . . . 10 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Classifieds . . . . . . 19 $
1.10 (HST INCL.)
Sucker’s Creek Bridge to be replaced Project will be completed with federal and provincial funding Kerrie-Ann Schoenit Hope Standard
Hope is utilizing the government funding surplus from the new Kawkawa Lake Road Bridge to replace the Sucker’s Creek Bridge. The federal and provincial program criteria permits the increased scope because of its proximity to the original project. Only $5 million of the budgeted $10 million was spent on the Kawkawa Lake Road Bridge, which means residual funds can now be allocated to address the needs at Sucker’s Creek. “If we hadn’t received this ap-
proval it would have meant that money originally intended to fund Hope infrastructure would have been used elsewhere,” said former town manager Earl Rowe, who initially submitted the proposal on behalf of the district. “This means that a long-awaited repair that has been budgeted in Hope’s financial plan for several years is finally able to be accomplished. We would have had to spend 100 per cent on it and this way we’re getting two-thirds funding.” The proposal has been approved together with additional pathway
funding to better connect Union Bar to Kawkawa Lake Road, and signage/amenities to better utilize the site on the west side of the Kawkawa bridge for tourism. The Sucker’s Creek Bridge has been in imminent danger of falling into the water and blocking Thacker Mountain residents access to the community. The bridge has had several repairs over the years using creosote-soaked timbers. “The major hazard is likely vehicles crossing the bridge and pushing the whole structure into the creek bed,” said Rowe, noting repairs will be done “under traf-
fic” and during the Department of Fisheries window for in-creek work. “A further challenge in the design will be to ensure that there isn’t any incursion into the creek bed during construction to ensure we maintain the fisheries permit. At this point the only component that seems likely would be the removal of debris from the creek bed.” The district is currently working on the preliminary design and is expected to tender the project in May. The total estimated cost of the Sucker’s Creek Bridge replacement is $1.4 million.
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