The Chief of Niagara Regional Police says he will ask the OPP to investigate the over-budget Burgoyne Bridge build.
Chief Jeff McGuire says he carefully reviewed the request by the police board for him to request an investigation by the RCMP and/or OPP.
He says the NRP received the Deloitte final report on the investigation last week.
He says he has every confidence in the skills and abilities of the NRP and he does not believe there is a conflict that would prevent the NRP from conducting a full, fair and impartial investigation into the matter.
That said, he says it is possible that due to the amount of public attention this matter is receiving, a perception of conflict may be held by some.
McGuire says for that reason and after thorough consideration, he will accede to the request made of him, and he will make a request to Commissioner Vince Hawkes asking that the OPP assume responsibility of the investigation.
Board Chair, Bob Gale tells CKTB he is very pleased the Chief is handing the investigation over, and he says from the very start he thought there was a conflict of interest.
He says he is very proud that the Chief made the right call.
The price tag for the St Catharines bridge has almost doubled, and now stands at close to 100 million dollars.
Last week, the police services board voted to ask the Chief to officially request a full investigation by law enforcement.
The move comes after a forensic audit by Deloitte identified several matters it says should be the subject of further investigation by police.
The board also noting because local police work with regional staff, the investigation should be conducted by the two other forces to avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.
The final report on the audit is expected to be made public next month.