1914-10-22ff

The goal was to build a modern concrete highway between Hamilton and Toronto, and negotiations between the highway commission and various municipalities had taken place throughout 1914.

The Hamilton end of the proposed highway would prove to be one of the toughest to provide a route satisfactory to all concerned.

The main issue as regards bringing the proposed into Hamilton was the fact that city was actually located south the literal end of Lake Ontario, To bring the road to the city from the Plains area north of the end of the end of the lake, would mean that several ravines would have to be circumvented or bridged, or, perhaps a different, if costly solution would have to be entertained.

For many years, overland traffic coming to Hamilton would descend to the level of the bay at the point where the original outlet to the bay from Coote’s Paradise was located. A small swing bridge had be put in place for such traffic, a bridge which would be swung out of place when large boats would need to pass to get to Dundas via the Desjardins canal route through Coote’s Paradise. The overland traffic would then have to go up a steep incline to get back to the level of the Burlington Heights to proceed into the city.

After the early 1850’s a new route for the canal would be cut through the Heights and a swing bridge at the location was put in place for the railroad line, a bridge which could be opened to allow vessels to pass through when needed. Bridges across that cut would be provided for overland traffic.

However the problem of getting around the absolute west end of the bay remained as there were a series of ravines present to be spanned by bridges or avoided altogether.

 

The new solution proposed in 1914 was to build a large bridge over the bay from somewhere near Carroll’s Point to join up with York street somewhere near the High Level Bridge:

“It was stated today by Controller Jutten, the local representative on the highway commission, that a point has been discovered that where a 750 bridge would be possible. This would start at a point on York street and cross to a point southwest of Carroll’s point. Such a bridge could be built for about $200,000, and could be made strong enough to carry two electric lines on an extra floor below the driveway level.”¹

¹ “May Yet Build That Bridge.”

Hamilton  Herald.   October 22, 1914.

The provincial highway commission was reluctant to carry that $200,000 cost, especially as it had not been included in the overall budget projections. In response, the City of Hamilton, behind closed doors, were suggesting that perhaps the cost might be split with the commission paying half and the city the rest.

At a meeting of the Hamilton Board of Trade, the matter of the bridge across the bay, and the financing of it, were discussed in some detail.

It was noted that the provincial highway commission had settled on a firm route from Toronto to Burlington only, and that there was a possibility that Hamilton could be bypassed completely.

Said Board of trade member F. J. Howell:

“I’d hate to see the government overlook Hamilton with this good road, and pass around to Buffalo from Burlington, which is a possible turn things might take if this bridge tied up the matter.”²

² “Hamilton Wants Bridge Over Bay”

Hamilton Herald.   October  21, 1914

Also, an idea had been put forward that property owners near the proposed bridge could be asked to contribute, and that the electric railway lines could be asked to pay for the portion of the bridge used specifically by their lines.

A real estate developer with considerable land holdings on the north shore of the bay suggested other potential contributors to the cost of the bridge:

“W. D. Flatt suggested the electrical interests would be helped by the bridge. He pointed out that the Hydro was talking of building a line near there. He did not think it would be difficult to finance the scheme, with the city, the county, the electrical interests, the government and the property owners all contributing, he said.

“W. Robertson stated the bridge would make a ‘fine store front’ for Hamilton for the farmers. It would be like a front door for them to come into, instead of using the back door as at present. He also pointed out that Hamilton would lose a lot of trade if the bridge was not built, as farmers would go to Toronto way in order to miss the grade.

“ ‘If that bridge isn’t built, you will find all the farmers going to Toronto with their produce,’ warned Reeve Ray, of East Flamboro. ‘They are all going to get motor trucks. However, they would rather deal in Hamilton, as many of them are Hamilton men.. It is for you to get the bridge. I am sure they will pay their share in the township.’

“Willoughby Ellis then said that if the government taxed autos for good roads, they should supply good roads, and assist in the cost of the bridge.’ ” ²

The Hamilton Board of Trade at that meeting ultimately passed a resolution strongly in favor of a bridge over the bay to bring the Toronto-Hamilton concrete road into the city.

It was felt that the war conditions might help in that the prices for produce would increase, but the war conditions might also mean that the money available from governments for such infratstructure projects might decrease drastically.