Federal gas tax funds will ease the burden of having to upgrade a Wilkinson Road bridge over the Colquitz River, says Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard.

A gas tax grant will cover $1.75 million of the estimated $2.5-million project cost.

“This is simply an old bridge — old infrastructure that we wanted to replace at some point,” Leonard said.

“To have $1.75 million in federal gas tax on a $2.5-million project is a big victory for us, and we’re very appreciative.”

The project will include widening the 75-year-old bridge on Wilkinson Road to provide better access for cyclists and pedestrians. Sidewalks along Wilkinson will be extended and bike lanes will be added from Mann Road to Lindsay Road, where they will connect to the district’s Centennial Trail.

The project will also include removal of invasive plants and the installation of a rain garden to treat stormwater.

Leonard said work won’t start until 2014 or 2015.

“We’ve only just had the funding approved now, so we’ll move from concept to detailed design. So we’re a bit away from a timeline,” Leonard said.

“We’re nowhere near tendering or anything. … It certainly [won’t start] this spring or summer.”

The municipality is also moving forward on another bridge.

In a joint project with View Royal, Saanich has just awarded to Don Mann Excavating Ltd. the contract to replace the 80-year-old timber-beam Craigflower Bridge at a cost of $15.89 million.

That project could begin in earnest within two weeks.

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