The bridge and the tunnel are two proposals on how to connect pedestrians and bikers travelling from south of the train tracks in central Milton to Bishop Reding Secondary School on the north side.

Even before a public feedback meeting on the issue last week, the Town’s community services department had already recommended the construction of a $2.8 million bridge over the tracks, as outlined in a secondary plan for the area, in an effort to protect walkers from being hit by trains travelling along the busy CP Galt Subdivision corridor.

But Regional Councillor Colin Best said he’s hesitant to recommend his fellow councillors endorse the option, as he was originally told the bridge would cost $1 million. “Now it’s (about $3 million), and we still have dissatisfied people.”

Best was referring to residents living on Bonin and Hobbs Crescents in a recently-built subdivision adjacent to the south end of the tracks who had previously expressed concern that a pedestrian bridge that needs to have a clearance of 26 feet from the trains would be a towering eyesore.

One Bonin Avenue homeowner said he was also worried about the security of his home and family.

Walkers on the bridge “are going to be looking in my bedroom,” said Jamie Cardoso. “A tunnel would be better or a fence.”

Milton staff displayed a tunnel design at last week’s meeting, but said the $7 million cost means it isn’t a feasible option. A letter from a CP spokesman added such pedestrian underpasses “are not well utilized due to personal safety concerns.”

Without a bridge or tunnel, the Town would likely be forced to build a security fence preventing any pedestrians from crossing the tracks. Leaving the status quo in place isn’t an appropriate decision, said staff, as the Town could face litigation if a resident is killed by a train.

Though the bridge will essentially serve newer residents to the area, the Town’s budget shows development charges will only cover 25 per cent of the costs. Town staff are recommending using debt to cover another 25 per cent and hope that Provincial or federal grants will cover the remaining $1.4 million.

For more information on the pedestrian bridge and the budget, visit www.milton.ca .