“I think we should seriously look at video surveillance,” said Ward 4 Councillor Rick Malboeuf. “It’s unfortunate this is happening, but we all knew when we first approved this bridge that vandalism was going to be an issue.”

Local and Regional Councillor Colin Best and Ward 5 Councillor Arnold Huffman voiced their support for installing surveillance cameras.

“It (video surveillance) is needed,” said Huffman, adding, “This is a very important pedestrian bridge for that neighbhourhood.”

Ward 1 Councillor Robert Duvall said he would like to see the Town purchase portable surveillance equipment that can be moved about as needed.

“I have a lot of midnight dumping going on in my area,” he said. “It seems to be a growing problem.”

Cripps’ report indicated that staff would investigate the possibility of video surveillance at the bridge, which is already equipped with conduit to allow for the cameras.

A number of alternative materials have been investigated to replace the tempered glass panels, including Plexiglas, polycarbonate, laminated glass and wire mesh panels, notes the report from Cripps.

Staff ultimately recommended laminated glass as the best option, citing the fact it doesn’t scratch or yellow and provides excellent light transmission as its key advantages.

The new glass panels will be smaller and have more support framing to reduce their susceptibility to vandalism.

Replacing the glass is no easy task, as the work has to be done from the outside of the structure, which involves the use of a crane and getting approvals from CP Rail to complete the work, explained Cripps.

The bridge redesign aims to rectify this, with the Town requesting that the design of the new glass panels allow for replacement from inside the structure.

Background

The bridge officially opened in 2013 and provides a pedestrian link over the railway tracks, connecting the Clarke and Dempsey neighbourhoods. The project was identified in both the Bristol Secondary Plan and the 2007 Trails Master Plan.

It was designed to allow more direct pedestrian access to the Milton GO Station, Milton Centre for the Arts, Milton Memorial Arena, Milton Leisure Centre, Bishop Reding Secondary School and the downtown area.

In early 2011, the Town’s Budget Standing Committee approved advancing the job for the bridge from 2018 to 2012.

The committee’s endorsement of the repair plans will go before Milton Council for final approval at its October 24 meeting.