The B.C. government won't provide any money to help replace Victoria's Johnson Street Bridge, despite a $21-million pledge from Ottawa, the province's infrastructure minister said yesterday.

"We're always happy when the federal government provides resources in our province, and we're pleased about that, [but] we're not contemplating at this time providing resources to that project," said Shirley Bond, transportation and infrastructure minister.

Bond effectively closed the book on any B.C. government participation, leaving municipal taxpayers on the hook for the remaining $42 million needed to replace the aging structure.

She said the province had "tough choices to make" in $4 billion worth of joint federal-provincial building projects this year, and Victoria's bridge didn't make the cut.

"We've made our decisions and made the announcements about the projects we're going to fund," said Bond.

Although the province has remained lukewarm toward Victoria's bridge -- it wasn't among 175 projects chosen last month -- there was hope it might reverse course and find the cash in the wake of the surprise funding commitment Saturday from the federal government.

That announcement was the largest single federal contribution to a municipal project in Victoria's history and could pave the way for the Blue Bridge to be replaced by as early as November 2011.

Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin said the federal contribution is "amazing" and the city won't close the door on the possibility of provincial funding.

Meanwhile, he said, the city will continue to make its case to the Capital Regional District for help securing gas-tax funding to offset the cost of replacing the bridge.

Last week, the city made its case for regional help to the CRD parks committee. City director of engineering Peter Sparanese said about $23 million out of the total cost -- the E&N Rail component at $15 million and the multi-use trail at $8 million -- are regional in nature and should be considered for funding from gas-tax revenues.

"We'll be looking for their support in seeking funding for this bridge, especially in its relation to commuter rail or the E&N Rail Trail," Fortin said.

The city has floated the idea of terminating the E&N Rail line in Vic West instead of making the line part of the crossing, shaving $15 million off the price.

Fortin acknowledged that to be effective, commuter rail on the E&N should cross into downtown. "We know, of course, it's important when you look at transportation ... it's important that has to be close to the next level. So it needs to come across the Johnson Street Bridge to be successful," Fortin said.