ask residents if they support the city borrowing money for the cost of the new bridge. On November 20, 2010 the referendum to support the city borrowing money for the cost of the new bridge passed 61% to 39%. The new bridge was scheduled to be completed in 2015, at which time the old bridge would be removed. Closure of rail span On March 31, 2011, the rail span was closed to rail traffic after a routine inspection found corrosion damage on key structural elements. A preliminary estimate of repair costs was $120,000. The railway span and approaches were removed in February 2012 to make room for the new bridge. Rail freight service up Store St. to commercial properties on the east side of the Upper Harbour had been discontinued decades before. Since then, the line terminated at a small passenger station beside the bridge. Victoria–Courtenay passenger service was suspended indefinitely in March 2011 due to deteriorating track. Closure of bridge On March 31, 2018, the road span was closed to pedestrian traffic, after being closed to vehicular traffic two days earlier. The closing/commissioning ceremony was attended by Victoria City Councillors, mayors from across the Capital Regional District, project managers and engineers for the new bridge, and members of the public. The road span and approaches were removed during spring 2018. Fourth bridge, 2018 - Construction of a rolling bascule bridge beside the third bridge began in 2013, and opened to the public on March 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, actual costs of $96.08 million had been incurred, to an approved budget of $105.06 million. The bridge affords a three-lane roadway, a pedestrian walkway on the south side, and a multi-use pathway on the north side. See also Joseph Strauss (engineer) List of bascule bridges List of bridges in Canada References External links City of Victoria Johnson St Bridge Replacement Project Johnson St Bridge.org Buildings and structures in Victoria, British Columbia Bascule bridges Bridges completed in 1924 Railway bridges in British Columbia Road bridges in British Columbia