Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge underwent a $1,000,000 refit in 1999 that the city’s transportation department claimed would give the historic bridge “several more decades of useful life,” according to a Times Colonist article dated April 03, 1999.

Just ten years in, the Johnson Street Bridge replacement project is the most pressing issue in the City of Victoria, taking a surprising lead ahead of council’s 2008 election to-do list drafted to highlight the City’s pressing issues like homelessness, affordability and downtown crime.  While election campaign promises and to-do’s may change, a drastic departure from the issues that Victorians recognized as top priorities so early in this mayor’s and council’s term is already sparking discussion on the forum.  Member “Bob Fugger” asked others to get the message out about the change in direction at city hall, while “Chris J.” agreed that this issue needs to be expedited.  However, whether or not the Johonson Street Bridge project needs to be addressed immediately (as we’re being told by council), it is truly bizarre that council failed to include a $63 million expense to taxpayers as a priority.

Meanwhile, the group responsible for the Johnsonstreetbridge.org website recently submitted a letter to mayor and council asking for clarification on several issues, including a request to see the contract between the City and MMM Group, the consulting group hired to manage the $63 million project.

View VibrantVictoria.ca’s discussion threads on the bridge for more information: General discussion; Design and technical; Petition to borrow funds; Photos and historical.

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