Resident Dave Beynon would like to see the new St. David Street bridge reflect the rich heritage of this community.
On Dec. 12, as Centre Wellington councillors heard updates on work happening for the future replacement of the St. David Street (Highway 6) bridge in downtown Fergus, Beynon offered another option: looking to the past.
Beynon said the Centre Wellington community has spent a lot of time talking about bridges and water.
“That’s fitting, because we have a giant river running through this community … and none of our five communities would exist without all that running water,” he said.
He quipped all that water gives councillors, the stewards of the township, headaches galore.
“While the quick fix may be the easiest fix, to get on the next problem … I don’t think you should do it with this bridge,” said Beynon.
He added the township’s draft urban design guidelines state “the goal is that heritage bridges within both downtowns and the larger community of Centre Wellington shall be conserved and celebrated as important pieces of history which mark the community connection to the Grand River and Irvine Creek.”
Beynon stated the guidelines also specify that when heritage bridges are to be replaced, consideration should be given to reinstating historic aspects and elements – including, but not limited to arches and trusses.
Beynon said, “consideration should be given to reinstating a bowstring bridge – if feasible – should replacement of the bridge be required.”
In the past, Beynon said there was a spectacular bowstring bridge on the site that “not only enhanced the landscape, but served as a gateway to the downtown.”
He added the bridge also reflected craftsmanship and pride – “and spoke to a community which believed it deserved better than just the least expensive option.”
Beynon stated bowstring bridges were important to the development of the area. He added Wellington County took the lead in the establishment of bowstring bridges in Ontario.
Over 20 concrete bowstring bridges were built in Wellington between 1910 and 1930, “most of them were in the boundaries of Centre Wellington.”
He noted many council members were at a ribbon cutting last month for the reinstated bowstring bridge just east of Salem.
Beynon acknowledged not all of Centre Wellington’s bowstring bridges can be saved due to traffic pressures and large farm equipment, “But I think we can commemorate those bridges in the centre of our downtown, where a bowstring bridge used to stand.”
He agreed there is always a cost issue, “But this council has a history of allocating funds to heritage bridges.”
Beynon thought the allocation of $1-million towards another local downtown bridge was marvellous and considered it a forward-looking precedent.
He also suggested it illustrated council was not willing to do things by half measures when it comes to showcasing historic downtowns.
“Cost is important … but so is the cost of not recognizing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Beynon, noting pride of place is one of five strategic priorities for Centre Wellington.
In addition, Beynon advocated replacing the bridge abutments and widening the bridge. He contended that in a community full of trails, there is no dedicated bicycle lane crossing the Grand River – in any of the bridge designs.
Beynon also said no one knows what traffic will be like in the next 50 to 100 years.
He stated the downtowns are the hearts of the local communities … “and will become increasingly so as we grow into a city and try to maintain the small town feel.”
“A generic bridge over the Grand River tells the visitor … it’s not worth the effort … why stop? If you have a bowstring bridge, that creates interest and encourages people to stop, get out of their cars, and spend money,” said Beynon.
Councillor Mary Lloyd asked if there is any opportunity to widen the bridge to allow for bicycle lanes – at this or any point.
Colin Baker, managing director of infrastructure services, explained “there are constraints to say the least.”
Baker pointed out there are existing buildings by the road’s edge on both the north and south sides of the river.
The current proposal for bridgework includes making use of the existing abutments, which “limits how wide we can make a bridge,” said Baker.
“Of course we can look at widening the abutments, but there would be significant cost and additional studies and review would be required.”
Current plans, he said, are with the assumption the bridgework did not affect the water course.
Councillor Kirk McElwain asked about the potential cost differential to put in a bowstring bridge.
Baker said it was originally considered as an option.
He said preliminary estimates are that the bowstring option could cost $1-million to $1.5-million to accommodate the decorative bows and the widening of the abutments.
He added the duration of the road closure is another factor to be considered.
Baker said in talking with the Fergus BIA, one of its concerns is how long the road will be closed – and “This additional work would result in an addition month to two months of closure.”
That would move the overall time closed from nine months to almost a year.
Lloyd asked if the new sidewalks would be wide enough to be considered bicycle lanes.
Baker said the sidewalks would be wider and roadway lanes would be wider than a typical road.
“They are intended to carry both cyclist and vehicle traffic,” he said.
He agreed that while there is not quite enough space to paint lines for dedicated bicycle lanes “it is wide enough that vehicles could safely pass a bicycle.”
On the cost issue, councillor Steven VanLeeuwen reminded those at the table the majority of funds for this work are coming through the province.
He asked whether the township could continue under the same grant allocation, but change the design.
“Could we use the existing abutments and fit in the bowstring design … or would we have to start over?”
Baker said the province has indicated any additional costs incurred for a new design would be incurred by the municipality.
“They also indicated that even our Connecting Link application for funding – would likely require the township having to reapply for the funding.”
He explained the Connecting Link funding was approved for a certain design and style of bridge and, “If that were to change drastically, they would want us to reapply.”
Councillor Stephen Kitras said if there is room for bicycle paths, “do we need to widen the abutments to accommodate a bowstring bridge?”
Baker said “to accommodate the width of the bows, the accessible sidewalks and the 4.5-metre wide lanes – the abutments would need to be widened.”
He explained there is only a certain amount of width that can be accommodated upon the existing abutments.
On the southwest corner, the existing abutment is tied in with the Fergus Marketplace building and on the northeast corner is adjacent to the Brewhouse and is poured against the building wall.
Councillor Fred Morris appreciated Beynon’s presentation and that this is a gateway bridge into one of the urban centres.
“That is a significant point to remember.”
But on the cost, Morris said “it is not so much the cost, but the willingness of the taxpayer to pay that extra cost.”
Morris said right now, council would only be guessing how willing the community would be to incur that extra cost.
He considered this an ideal opportunity for a partnership with Wellington County “because of the significance of this bridge to all of us.”
He said this is a gateway bridge and added “it would be a colossal mistake to consider this ‘just another bridge over the river’.”
Morris maintained that having a bridge that would appeal to tourism is not a bad idea.
However, he was not certain that having bicycle lanes on a highway bridge was such a good idea.
Baker agreed this is a gateway feature and the design team are working to give it a unique feel.
He said the wrought iron railing and additional decorative lights and the opportunity for seasonal banners and hanging baskets will provide some of that.
There are a number of options still being considered.
Baker also said that from a tourism perspective at the northwest corner, plans are in the works to add to the storyboards to tell the history of the area.
“Plus we want to work with the Fergus Marketplace which is considering activating a boardwalk along the river.”
He said there is also an opportunity for connections to the trail at Confederation Park.
“We are looking ahead to bringing these aspects into the final design to provide a sense of destination.”
Baker stressed this is not the final update to council.
“We are still open for additional input from the public and businesses.”
He noted information will be posted on the township website.
At the same time, he said the plan is to come back to council for final endorsement early in 2017 so the project can move along.
