OGRA Response to 2009 Ontario Auditor General's Report - Bridges

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - The Auditor General released its report yesterday on the status of bridge inspection and maintenance both at the Provincial and Municipal level. It was particularly interesting to note that many of the areas of concern and recommendations could be addressed through the use of the Ontario Good Roads Association's innovative asset management tool Municipal DataWorks (MDW).

The Auditor General's report comes on the heels of a funding agreement reached between OGRA and the Province and backed by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, to continue development and enhancement of MDW which will ultimately satisfy the concerns contained in this report.

Currently, 289 Ontario municipalities have committed to sharing information on municipal bridge inspection and maintenance through MDW. That's over 65% of Ontario municipalities, and through the use of new tools that will be built, OGRA hopes to have bridge data on the majority of structures in the province in a central database and will share that information with the Province.

This will lead to better allocation of scare funds to ensure that Ontario's bridges remain safe. "OGRA is pleased that the Ministry of Transportation recognized the value of the MDW. This application, which is free to Ontario municipalities, is allowing us to identify and respond to the needs of rural and northern Ontario communities where the need is often the greatest," stated OGRA President, Eric Rutherford .

"The recommendations contained in the Auditor General's report endorse many of the objectives that OGRA has committed to realizing with MDW' said OGRA Executive Director, Joe Tiernay. "The aggregate knowledge MDW provides all levels of government will go a long way to positioning Ontario municipalities as a leader not only in bridge inspection and maintenance, but also other critical infrastructure management. "

Empowered with the ability to effectively manage critical infrastructure with MDW, OGRA's member municipalities will be able to continue ensuring the safe and proper upkeep of municipal bridges.

The mandate of the Ontario Good Roads Association is to represent the infrastructure interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.

For further information: Colette Caruso, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Ontario Good Roads Association, [phone] ext 30; Scott Butler, Manager, Policy and Research, Ontario Good Roads Association, [phone] ext 24