Ottawa takeover of Ontario bridges could start next month
SARNIA, ON – The federal government’s takeover of four international bridges in southern Ontario could take effect as early as next month.
In an interview with Blackburn News, which has six news outlets in southwestern Ontario, Marcel Beaubien, chairman of the board of directors of the Blue Water Bridge Authority in Sarnia, says the federal government will operate four international crossings under a single crown corporation known as the Federal Bridge Corporation Ltd (FBC).
FBC will own, operate and control the Canadian portions of the international bridges in the Ontario communities of Sault Ste. Marie, Cornwall, Lansdowne, and Pt. Edward.
Beaubien says a new board, with seven government appointed members, will run the international bridges.
Speaking of the impact specifically on the Blue Water Bridge, he said current chief operating officer John Elliot’s position will cease, as will the local board.
A new management position will oversea daily operations.
In the interview, Beaubien says he has some reservations about the takeover but says he’s been assured by Transport Canada that the bridge will be maintained to the same standard it has held in the past 75 years.
Read the full story, and an audio excerpt of the interview with Beaubien here.
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