Recently announced federal and provincial funding will help the City of Courtenay move forward with long-anticipated plans to rehabilitate the 5^th Street Bridge. This project is expected to extend the bridge’s lifespan by an estimated 50 years.

Over the weekend, the governments of Canada and British Columbia announced a combined $ 1,964,932 in funding for the project through the Small Communities Fund.

Mayor Larry Jangula says the 5^th Street Bridge project has been a top priority for the city. “This project has been number one on our list of infrastructure projects for several years, so we’re delighted and grateful at the news of this funding,” advised Jangula. “The 5^th Street Bridge is a vital transportation link in the Comox Valley, so this funding is great news for both our downtown core and the entire community.”

The project will include a complete repainting of the bridge, as well as repairs to structural steel and handrails. The bridge deck will also be resurfaced.

The City of Courtenay will contribute $982,468, representing one-third of grant funding.

The 5th Street Bridge was constructed in 1960. Maintenance in the last 50 years has included resurfacing of the deck and seismic upgrades. The last significant maintenance on the bridge took place in 2012. At that time, analysis identified the need for further rehabilitation to address corrosion.

The construction schedule for the project has not yet been finalized. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. A project page has been set up at www.courtenay.ca/5thstreetbridge 

The Small Communities Fund provides support for priority public infrastructure projects that deliver on local needs in communities across Canada that have fewer than 100,000 residents. Courtenay is one of 26 communities throughout BC that will be receiving support for public infrastructure projects through the fund.

For more information on the 5^th Street Bridge project, call City of Courtenay Engineering Services at 250-334-4441 or email engineering@courtenay.ca