New plans coming for bridge replacement in York

The province is going to come up with new plans to help residents of York this fall while their bridge is being replaced.

The project was supposed to start Tuesday, but was put on hold after a public meeting earlier in the week, where residents voiced concerns about the plan to put a detour in place.

• York Bridge construction on hold

• Safety of bridge construction detour questioned

Farmers in the area said it would hurt their harvestwhen it comes time to transport potatoes, and others are worried it will make it difficult for school buses and emergency vehicles to get to homes in the area.

"We heard loud and clear that certainly the farming community had an issue with the detour, as well as some emergency vehicles," said Stephen Yeo, thetransportation department's chief engineer

Instead, they'll be back at another public meeting next Wednesday, and by then they will have two options ready, that don't involve a detour.

"A short diversion road around the construction site itself," described Yeo. "It would be controlled by either stop lights or stop signs, we haven't finalized the exact design yet."

The bridge does have to be replaced this fall, because of safety concerns.

Yeo expects the project to now begin the first week of October, and be finished in December.

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