The countdown has begun on the citizens' window of opportunity to veto Victoria city council's decision to borrow $42 million to replace the Johnson Street Bridge.

Any eligible Victoria resident opposed to the loan can submit an elector response form (available at City Hall or on the city's website) by Jan. 4.

If, by that date, 10 per cent of the electorate submit the form, the city would be required to hold a referendum before borrowing the money.

Council also had the option to send the issue straight to referendum. Instead it upheld a staff recommendation to launch the counter-petition, or alternative approval process, with some reservations.

Councillors voted 5-2 vote in favour at Thursday's governance and priorities committee.

A referendum would delay construction work that is not optional, said Mayor Dean Fortin.

Coun. John Luton defended the decision against criticism.

"The suggestion has been made that in an alternative approval process, somebody else has to do council's work; that is simply not the case ... I don't see that a referendum process would change the dynamic of how that information is presented," he said.

All of council, save Geoff Young, renewed their commitment to replacing the bridge, but many said the public still needs more information.

"I still believe that replacing (the bridge) is what I'm most comfortable with," said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe, adding discussions with members of the public hasn't left them with the same level of comfort.

Sonya Chandler also supported the motion, despite saying she's not 100 per cent comfortable with the option.

"I've struggled a lot with the alternative approval process," Chandler said. "(It) does put some responsibility on us to re-engage."

Coun . Philippe Lucas said he's confident bridge replacement is right, but requested an educational outreach strategy.

A vocal group opposed to the plan, led by Ross Crockford, advocated for a referendum, arguing it's more democratic.

The group, at www.johnsonstreetbridge.org, has pledged to actively seek signatures to reach the required 10 per cent.

Coun. Geoff Young echoed many of their concerns at the meeting.

He reiterated his belief that options for renovating the existing bridge have not been adequately researched.

As an example, he pointed to the unexplored possibility of closing down one of three lanes of traffic on the bridge to use as a multi-use trail.

rholmen@saanichnews.com