There was a double cause for celebration in the Township of Chisholm Friday morning.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli together with Mayor Leo Jobin and with some council members celebrated the completion of a brand-new bridge to replace the wooden structure on River Road that was built in 1930.
The province contributed nearly $681,000 toward the overall cost of the new metal and concrete bridge through its Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
“We need to build and maintain great road and bridge infrastructure to help get people in Nipissing to work and home safely to spend more time with their families, said Fedeli.
The municipal portion is estimated to be roughly $100,000 once all the final invoices are submitted.
Bridge #4 on River Road at the Mallard Haven intersection is on one of the township’s main roads, connecting area businesses and neighbouring communities.
“It is important also because all the school buses use it to take the kids to school. It was only a single lane bridge before, now finally it is a two-lane. I was very pleased to get the funding for that,” said Jobin.
The second celebration was naming the bridge the "Leo Jobin Bridge" after the mayor, who has held the office since 2006.
“I felt very honoured. I was quite shocked, to be honest. When they first said it, I took a breath wondering if I heard them right. Then they held the sign up,” laughed Jobin.
“It was very nice of them. It was a complete surprise. My mouth dropped open when they said what the name of the bridge was going to be.”
The bridge naming was a decision of the municipal council.
“The mayor is always working hard and is very dedicated to the township,” said Councillor Chris Jull.
“He deserves to have this legacy.”
