That the Economic and Development Services Committee recommend to City Council:
Whereas, the Region had planned work on an existing road structure on Taunton Road West, between Stevenson Road North and Northbrook Street; and,
Whereas, the need for a pedestrian connection was identified to maintain the connection over the existing bridge; and,
Whereas, the Region investigated different options including replacing the existing road structure while widening the existing sidewalks, rehabilitating the existing structure while cantilevering the existing sidewalks and rehabilitating the existing structure while building a separate pedestrian structure adjacent to the road structure; and,
Whereas, through the design phase the Region determined it was financially beneficial to rehabilitate the existing road structure while constructing a separate pedestrian facility; and,
Whereas, under Durham Region Contract D2015-017, the Region constructed a pedestrian bridge across the Oshawa Creek along Taunton Road West; and,
Whereas, the pedestrian bridge completes the multi-use path connection across the Oshawa Creek on the south side of Taunton Road West, from Stevenson Road North to Northbrook Street; and,
Whereas, this connection is identified as a cycling infrastructure in the approved Regional Cycling Plan and the City of Oshawa’s Active Transportation Master Plan; and,
Whereas, in current practice the responsibility for the construction of pedestrian facilities along Regional right-of-ways, including sidewalks and multi-use path connections, is shared between the City and the Region, where the Region supplies and funds the platform and the City funds the surface works; and,
Whereas, the City is responsible for all costs related to the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of pedestrian facilities along Regional right-of-ways; and,
Whereas, under Durham Region Contract D2015-017, the Region fully funded the design and construction of the pedestrian bridge at no cost to the City; and,
Whereas, the Region has notified the City of their intent to transfer ownership and responsibility for the pedestrian bridge to the City, including its operating and maintenance costs and full management control of the structure; and,
Whereas, following the transfer of ownership of the pedestrian bridge, the Region will have no obligations or responsibility in any way to provide, operate, maintain, replace or guarantee any facility or equipment required for the structure or any part thereof; and,
Whereas, following the transfer of ownership of the pedestrian bridge, the City will be 100% responsible for of all costs and expenses, directly or indirectly related to the operation, maintenance, repair and replacement of the structure and will assume full control of the structure; and,
Whereas, City staff have no objection to the transfer of the pedestrian bridge to the City;
Therefore be it resolved that the Commissioner, Economic and Development Services Department be authorized to finalize the conditions for the transfer of ownership of the pedestrian bridge to the City, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, Economic and Development Services Department, Commissioner, Community and Operations Services Department, and the City Solicitor, and that the updated agreement be executed.