Talk:Johnson Street Bridge

What is the bridge called
Article identifies the bridge as also known as "Big Blue". Is it really? I've heard it universally referred to as "The Blue Bridge" but never as "Big Blue". - Tevpg (talk) 23:47, 21 September 2009 (UTC)

Proposed change to Controversy section
Edits to Controversy section

Hello, I am working with the City of Victoria and as such I have a conflict of interest in editing this page.

However, I feel that the “controversy” section is slightly bias and there are a few pieces of information that are not correct. I would like to remedy that and propose that the current section be replaced with the note below. I have strived to take a neutral position and have included most of the information in the original post with a few additional pieces. I appreciate any comments or suggestions you would like to give. Thank you

Given the recent availability of (and relatively short window of opportunity to obtain) Federal and Provincial infrastructure funds, opponents to replacing the bridge suggest that Victoria City Council is rushing the decision-making process to chase funding rather than because a condition assessment stated action was necessary.

There is also the argument that states that even if action is necessary the old bridge should be refurbished rather replaced due to its historic value.

The project is budgeted at an estimated $63 Million. Victoria City Mayor Dean Fortin, with support from City Council, is proposing to borrow the full expected cost. Given the jurisdictional tug-of-war that occurs in the 13-member Capital Regional District, the resulting property tax increases will fall squarely on the shoulders of the citizens of the Municipality of Victoria, despite users coming from throughout the region. However, the city is currently in a position to borrow the needed funds with minimal impact on City property taxes. Unfortunately, this will strongly impact the City’s capacity to fund other projects and some feel that the money would be better spent in other ways.

Three new designs were offered to council on September 8th and a public involvement strategy was implemented to raise awareness of the project and gain public input on the designs.

An argument has been made that the council should have included the option to refurbish the current bridge rather that just asking which of the three design options the public preferred. In fact, some considered all three proposed bridge designs uninspired and utilitarian and view the existing bridge as charming and having a significant heritage value.

The Joseph Strauss (engineer) designed bascule bridge is one of a very few left worldwide. An argument is being made to re-consider the decision to tear down the Johnson Street Bridge – or to plan for a refurbishment if a new bridge design is deemed too costly, and unacceptable to the community.


 * I would be happy to make this edit, as I agree the current text is unacceptably biased. However, I'd like to see a version with some proper citations in it first - this should be relatively easy given the press and website coverage! Kvetner (talk) 08:47, 6 October 2009 (UTC)
 * I'd also think twice about inserting the proposed section unless it was cited by reliable sources. I've removed the requested edit tag because it's been awhile since this request and no citations have been added, although this does not preclude any future changes if/when citations are added.  Them From  Space  04:32, 23 October 2009 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Johnson Street Bridge. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive https://web.archive.org/20091125005333/http://www.johnsonstreetbridge.com:80/the-project/schedule-milestones/ to http://www.johnsonstreetbridge.com/the-project/schedule-milestones/

When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true to let others know.

Cheers.—cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 05:02, 9 January 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just added archive links to 1 one external link on Johnson Street Bridge. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
 * Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20100815193446/http://www.timescolonist.com:80/news/Victoria+councillors+vote+replace+Johnson+Street+Bridge/3391119/story.html to http://www.timescolonist.com/news/Victoria+councillors+vote+replace+Johnson+Street+Bridge/3391119/story.html

When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true or failed to let others know (documentation at ).

Cheers.—cyberbot II  Talk to my owner :Online 20:43, 28 February 2016 (UTC)

Page updated
Who wants to boil down the "Condition assessment" section? Dhadams (talk) 03:36, 3 February 2018 (UTC)

New Bridge Details
Lots of questions yet unaddressed about the new bridge: designer, builder, official name ("Johnson Street Bridge"?). Now the city council squabbling is over, has everyone lost interest? [edit: Well, this explains a lot: http://www.focusonvictoria.ca/may-june-2018/the-wounded-white-elephant-r17/ ] 172.103.138.179 (talk) 11:28, 19 September 2018 (UTC)-an interested wiki reader