17 replies to this topic

[Bingo]

Aging trestle sparks questions over costs.

"A recent condition report of the (Selkirk) trestle reveals the 96-year old structure needs attention."

"The extent of the problems facing the trestle came to the attention of the CRD in late 2011. At that time, the condition report of the trestle's lift span revealed too many problems to safely open the bridge to allow boats to pass underneath."

It seems there are questions on who pays for maintenance and repairs, the province or the CRD.

http://www.saanichne...121109070824993

I wonder if this is another bridge that needs to have a heritage designation to help preserve it, and to prevent it from being torn down for being unsafe?

[Mike K.]

It's not an ideal crossing. The surface is very bumpy and I've seen seniors get caught up in the uneven planks.

Unlike the Johnson Street Bridge, I don't see much value in preserving something that is only good enough for what it is.

[sebberry]

Oh good, we can have a world class trestle now.

[aastra]

It would be funny to have a new Johnson Street Bridge but no Selkirk crossing.

[Mike K.]

What would be even funnier is if the CRD didn't step in to repair/replace the bridge citing funding conflicts with the province.

Apparently there is no such conflict just up a ways with the Craigflower Bridge, but I digress.

[sebberry]

Do we know how many people use the Selkirk trestle each day?

[UrbanRail]

Well knowing how strong the GVCC is with their lobbying efforts for more cycling infrastructure, I am sure money will be found to either repair it or build a new one. With what has happened with the JSB, I doubt the historical nature of the Selkirk bridge will save it.

[Baro]

Just do what ever is cheapest and gets the job done, unlike the JSB.

[Bingo]

Do we know how many people use the Selkirk trestle each day?

The Saanich News write-up says "700,000 crossings annually"

http://www.saanichne....21109070824993

[VicHockeyFan]

On average, the CRD gets one to three requests to lift the span every year, typically from sail boats.

When the call comes in, two CRD staff are called in to raise the plank by hand.

"On each side there is a crank, and there is a manual gear shift," he said. A few more staff must also be present for safety reasons.

"We have staff that are in a boat, observing," he said.

http://www.vicnews.c.../136853028.html

Good thing they don't have to do it much, that's quite a labour bill.

[G-Man]

It is a needed crossing though how they do it is not really important to me.

[Bingo]

It's not an ideal crossing. The surface is very bumpy and I've seen seniors get caught up in the uneven planks.

Unlike the Johnson Street Bridge, I don't see much value in preserving something that is only good enough for what it is.

It is a major cycling route on the Trans Canada Trail that connects with the Johnson Street Bridge. It is unique as a wooden trestle, but if it falls into a state of disrepair it will take millions to replace it.

[LJ]

http://www.vicnews.c.../136853028.html

Good thing they don't have to do it much, that's quite a labour bill.

If they send the bill for costs to the person who requests it to be opened requests should die down to the point opening it will not be required.

[Sparky]

If they send the bill for costs to the person who requests it to be opened requests should die down to the point opening it will not be required.

Because that's not the way it works.

I am going out on a limb here partly because I lived on the Gorge for thirteen years and used my boat weekly under this trestle to get to town or get to and return from the fishing grounds, and partly because I researched "almost" everything to do with waterfront, foreshore, and mariner rights during that period.

Mariners have passage rights and (in the old days) if a railway or other entity desired to "bridge" the rights of a mariner......an agreement was required. (read and also include the Johnson Street Bridge)

I doubt that the Selkirk Trestle Agreement would include a clause where the mariner would absorb the cost of passage.

[Bingo]

"On average, the CRD gets one to three requests to lift the span every year, typically from sail boats."

http://www.vicnews.c.../136853028.html

A sailboat with a mast tall enough to require the trestle bridge to lift, probably can't get under the fixed bridge at Tillicum Road a bit further up the Gorge. You are not allowed to sail in the harbour anyways, so taking a sailboat under the trestle would only be for storage purposes.

If the lifting part of the trestle needs rebuilding, just start the rise further back and make the hump higher to whatever the clearance is for the Point Ellice Bridge, then you will never have to raise the thing again.

[aastra]

That sounds expensive.

[Mike K.]

If the lifting part of the trestle needs rebuilding, just start the rise further back and make the hump higher to whatever the clearance is for the Point Ellice Bridge, then you will never have to raise the thing again.

This wouldn't work, I don't think, or it would require a huge crossing to maintain a reasonable grade. The Pt. Ellice span starts a good 20-30 feet above the Galloping Goose trail.

[LJ]

Because that's not the way it works.

I am going out on a limb here partly because I lived on the Gorge for thirteen years and used my boat weekly under this trestle to get to town or get to and return from the fishing grounds, and partly because I researched "almost" everything to do with waterfront, foreshore, and mariner rights during that period.

Mariners have passage rights and (in the old days) if a railway or other entity desired to "bridge" the rights of a mariner......an agreement was required. (read and also include the Johnson Street Bridge)

I doubt that the Selkirk Trestle Agreement would include a clause where the mariner would absorb the cost of passage.

Well back in the day there may have been lots of money. Now, like everything else, things could change. They are contemplating tolls on certain bridges here, and in Vancouver there are tolls on bridges. In London there are tolls on roadways. No reason a toll couldn't be implemented for passage through the waterway.