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CASTOR REVIEW Falling Bridges -- Gaston seeks help Russell Reeve Gaston Patenaude hopes at least one of four township bridges identified as unsafe in an engineering study can be replaced this year. Mr. Patenaude will meet soon with James Snow, Minister of Transportation and Communications, to discuss funding for replacement of the St. Joseph bridge near Embrun, the weakest structure among the four. Estimated cost for a new bridge is $350,000. The usual funding arrangement for bridge construction is 80 per cent provincial, 20 per cent municipal. The reeve's concern has grown since the recent collapse of a steel-trussed bridge over the Payne River near Crysler. The bridge, which had a five-ton load limit, buckled under the weight of a grader engaged in snow removal. The bridge, which was maintained by Finch Township, was listed as the worst among three that an engineering firm recommended be replaced. Township council hopes to get supplementary provincial funding to build a new structure at an estimated cost of $110,000. Mr. Patenaude emphasized one of the condemned Russell bridges could collapse just as easily as the one in Finch. The Russell structures have a weight limit of 11 tons which allows use by school buses. If possible, the reeve would also like to see the Menard bridge near Embrun replaced this year; that job would cost about $60,000. The two other bridges declared unsafe are the Clement near Embrun which would cost about $50,000 to replace and the St. Andre near Russell Slaughter House which is identical to the St. Joseph and would cost 350,000. The reeve said the St. Joseph and Menard projects could possibly be debentured over 10 years if the minister doesn't agree to lump funding. He suggested it would be contradictory for the province not to finance replacement of the bridges after it had paid 100 percent of the engineering survey which showed they're unsafe. However, a provincial spokesman stressed that bridges don't necessarily have to be replaced because they collapse or are condemned. Some bridges don't handle enough traffic to warrant replacement, he said. The spokesman said that just because the bridges have been ruled unsound, there's no cause for alarm. However, he added, cautious load limits must be maintained on weak bridges. "A bridge that might go down under a loaded truck can still support a car,' he observed. Wintario Windfall Russell Township will receive up to $18,373 in grants to assist with construction of a tennis court, a softball field, a skating rink with well, a watering system, a storage building, and landscaping the site. The money will come from Wintario proceeds. The Russell project is one of 16 recently approved for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell. The total for the counties is $140,251 with individual amounts ranging from $597 to $46,875. So far this year, the Ministry of Culture and Recreation has allotted $2.8 million to more than 395 projects across the province. Other funds to be distributed locally include $15,000 to Cambridge Township to assist in renovation of the Limoges Recreation Centre; $3,868 to help with the purchase of broomball equipment for eight teams in Embrun's 417 Sportsman Broomball League; $2,000 to Russell Public Library for the purchase of Canadian books. A little further afield, Participe Action at Casselman is to get $1,490 to aid in the purchase of playground equipment and The Brook at Bourget is to get $1,009 for the same purpose. Puffin' into station Some local residents might not even realize that Russell once had a train station. But as this scene depicts, not only did it have a station but one complete with American Express office. This shot, the subject of a postcard, captured the hubbub of the village about 1915. The white bail on the platform in the foreground contained village laundry heading from Louck's Barber Shop to Ottawa Sanitary Laundry. The station was located just north of the village on the New York Central Line between Malone and the capital. Puffing iron horses like this one are rarely seen outside of museums. -- (Photo courtesy of Bill Loucks). CASTOR REVIEW RATES ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION -- $3 for 12 issues COUNTER PRICE -- .25 cents per issue ADVERTISING -- $1.50 per column inch CLASSIFIED -- $2 per ad Local residents who were bogged in snowdrifts on more than one occasion on the infamous S-curve on Regional Road 6 between Russell and Metcalfe could only sigh at the above scene. The Steel stakes and the rolled fencing have been ready to be joined Friday, February 10, 1978 Page 3 No De-fense since before the first snowfall. If they had been, the curve probably would have remained passable. Local resident Ray McNamara, for one, would like to know if the fence is an Ottawa-Carleton Region project scheduled for completion this summer. Old music still a smash The newly-formed Russell Old- Time Music Makers are describ- ing their first dance as a smashing success. Old-time music fans who want to be part of the revival spear- headed' by the association can attend a meeting February 16 at 8 p.m. at the Russell Recreation Hall. An association executive committee will be formed at the meeting. Association spokesman Hugh Latimer stressed that being able to play a musical instrument is not essential to join. "All that's needed is an appreciation ' of old-time music," he said. \ The dance, which was held at the recreation hall January 27, attracted 225 fun-seekers who were not disappointed. Enough old-time musicians showed up to form several bands who alternat- ed throughout the evening. Caller Harold Cowan, of Met- calfe, led square dancers through many favorite jigs. "It was an informal thing," Hugh said. "I've never seen so many people dance through an entire evening before."' For more information contact Hugh at 445-2007, Lorne Wade, 445-2183; John Hayward, 445-2029 or Ted Lehowski, 445-2171. Buses in gear All systems are now go for the included on this page. Castor area's new bus line which | Line owner Martin Bielz has is. to commence operation Feb. 'cleared all hurdles and is looking 20. A time and fare schedule is forward to the new venture. SEND IN SUBSCRIPTION NOW! Make sure of Castor Review! BOX 359, RUSSELL, ONT. Please send the Castor Review to Building Booming Building boomed in Russell Township last year and the trend should continue this year, says clerk-treasurer Jean-Guy Bour- deau. A total of 165 building permits were issued by Mr.. Bourdeau's office last year compared to 138 permits in 1976. They represent in 1977 more than $4 million worth of construction, up by almost $1 million over the previous year. The 1977 figures include 92 single-family dwelling permits, 55 permits for repairs, garages, and carports, and 19 commercial- industrial permits. The 1976 total included 82 dwelling permits, 44 for repairs and garages, and 12 commercial-industrial. Understandably, spring and early summer was the prime period for new home construction last year with the peak reached in July when 20 permits were issued. Mr. Bourdeau said the main factors in last year's boom were the construction of new subdiv- ision homes and the Embrun IGA-Co-Op complex. NAMIC cic bbls Se ice ats oleh Fs eons «ort ee ee Address ..................0 000004. Box No. ....... Amount .......... ($3 for 12 issues) Schedule Commencing February 20, 1978 A Morewood 6:45 |7:15 {6:00 [6:30 County Rd. 6 : Russell 7:00 |7:30 |5:45 |6:15 Reg. Rd. 6 Metcalfe 12.15: 112.45 315: 30: =|6::00 Ottawa: Bank-Heron Bank-Billings Br. Elgin-Slater 8:00 8: 30 14:45 15:15 v Tarifs aa 10Day Monthly Single Return Pass Pass Morewood $1.75 $3.50 $32.50 $60.00 Russell 1.50 3.00 27.50 50.00 Metcalfe 1.25 2.50 22.50 40.00 Bus stops will be posted in Morewood, Russell and Metcalfe. Residents of County Road 6 and Regional Road 6 will be picked up en route. Kenmore residents will be picked up at the intersection of Regional Road 6 and 29. Tickets Passes monthly and 10 days will be available at the following locations: Morewood - Young Store; Russell - Russell Restaurant; Kenmore - Four Corners Confectionary; Metcalfe - McLaurin's Store. Single tickets payable to driver. NOTE: Persons interested in driving a bus are requested to write to: Bus Line, P.O. Box 364, Russell, Ont., KOA 3B0.