Bridges Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12

Bridges Act

R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER B.12

Historical version for the period April 1, 1997 to June 21, 2006.

Amended by: 1996, c. 33, ss. 18-20.

Application of Act

1. This Act applies to,

(a) every river or stream or part thereof where its bed is vested in Her Majesty in right of Ontario; and

(b) every place upon a river or stream where Her Majesty in right of Ontario, or any board or commission constituted under any Act of the Legislature, is a riparian owner. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12, s.1.

Approval of Minister

2. (1) No person, except a municipal corporation or other authority having jurisdiction over highways, shall build, place, construct, rebuild, replace or alter a bridge or other structure over or across any river or stream or part thereof, except with the approval of the Minister of Transportation. 1996, c. 33, s. 18.

Same

(2) A municipality or other authority having jurisdiction over highways shall not build, place, construct, rebuild, replace or alter any bridge or other structure that forms, or will upon completion form, part of a highway that has been designated as a connecting link under subsection 21 (1) of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, except with the approval of the Minister of Transportation. 1996, c. 33, s. 18.

Conditions of approval

(3) The Minister of Transportation may give his or her approval under subsection (1) upon receiving,

(a) proof that the plan of the proposed bridge or structure or alterations and a surveyor’s description of the site or proposed site have been deposited in the proper land registry office;

(b) proof that notice of the application has been published for three successive weeks in The Ontario Gazette and in two newspapers having a general circulation in the locality where the site or proposed site of the bridge or structure is located; and

(c) such other information or documentation as the Minister may require. 1996, c. 33, s. 18.

Same

(4) The Minister of Transportation may give his or her approval under subsection (2) upon receiving such information or documentation as he or she may require. 1996, c. 33, s. 18.

Regulations

3. The Minister of Transportation may make regulations regarding the building, placing, constructing, rebuilding, replacing, alteration, operation, maintenance and control of bridges and other structures over or across any river, stream or part thereof including the exemption of any commission constituted under any Act of the Legislature or any railway company from any of the provisions of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12, s. 3; 1996, c. 33, s. 19.

Protection from liability

4. No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against the Crown or an employee of the Ministry of Transportation for loss or damages arising from a defect in the design, building, placing, constructing, rebuilding, replacing or altering of a bridge or other structure which is approved under this Act. 1996, c. 33, s. 20.

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