ELORA – After voting in October to reconsider a decision it made in 2020 to remove the Middlebrook Place bridge, Centre Wellington council is sticking with its original plan.
In a 4-2 vote at its Feb. 22 committee of the whole meeting, council voted in favour of a staff recommendation to remove the bridge and retain the piers and abutments for possible reuse in the future.
While disappointing, it’s not over just yet, says the Save Middlebrook Bridge Community Action Group.
“It is clear that CW council does not share our community values and so it is up to our grassroots group to mobilize and find alternative funding to save and preserve this historic bridge and crossing point that has transported people over the Grand River since 1840,” group organizers Stephanie Lines-Toohill and Mark Walker stated in an email after the council meeting.
“We are not giving up!”
The bridge spans the Grand River west of Elora between Middlebrook Road in Centre Wellington and Weisenberg Road in Woolwich Township, and the two townships share the costs.
It was built in the early 1900s and until 2013 transported vehicles, horses and buggies, pedestrians and cyclists over the river.
In 2013 it was closed to vehicles as it had become unsafe over the years.
An engineering/environmental study of the bridge completed in 2018 included public consultation. Given the cost to rehabilitate and the ongoing lifecycle costs, both township councils voted to split the cost of removing the bridge in 2028.
Barriers went up last summer blocking everyone from crossing the bridge.
That’s when hikers, cyclists, dog walkers and anglers realized their beloved bridge would soon be gone.
Lines-Toohill and Walker delegated to both Woolwich and Centre Wellington councils last fall and, at least in Centre Wellington, caused council to reconsider its decision.
On Feb. 22, Centre Wellington’s manager of engineering Adam Gilmore told council that staff have spoken with Woolwich and believe there is no will there to save the bridge.
He also presented updated costs in 2021 dollars for the various options as prepared by Blue Plan Engineering.
Gilmore’s report included seven different options for the bridge but discussion essentially focussed on two: the original plan to remove the bridge at a cost of $720,000, to be split with Woolwich, or to rehabilitate the bridge for pedestrian and cycling use, which would result in $1.1 million in capital costs plus another $2.2 million in lifecycle costs that Centre Wellington would have to shoulder on its own.
The updated removal plan includes retaining the piers and abutments as a sort of monument, and they could be used in the future for a new pedestrian bridge.
Walker spoke as a delegate to council.
“We’re asking you to delay the decision until we can discuss it with other government agencies and explore possible funding,” he told council.
“Defer and allow us more time to find funding,” John Scott, of the active transportation group Green Lanes, added when he delegated to council. “Don’t close the door.”
Councillor Stephan Kitras, who declared a conflict of interest as he lives close to the bridge, wasn’t present for the discussion or vote.
Stephanie Lines-Toohill and Mark Walker, organizers of the Middlebrook Bridge Community Action Group, pose last summer in front of Middledbrook Place bridge, which links Centre Wellington with Woolwich Township. Advertiser file photo
Councillors Neil Dunsmore and Ian MacRae both recognized the merits of keeping the bridge but couldn’t justify spending money on a recreational bridge when there are already bridges closed that impact farmers, emergency response times and commerce.
“The agricultural community has been waiting years for bridges they need,” MacRae said. “I encourage council to stay focussed on getting other bridges done first.”
Councillor Kirk McElwain was in favour of rehabilitating the bridge and noted the heritage advisory committee recently added a bridges subcommittee as members are concerned with the demolition of historic bridges in the township in recent years.
“If we vote today to remove it, it will never be rebuilt,” McElwain said.
“Retaining the bridge we have is the only guarantee we can do anything with it in the future. It seems we are struggling to find ways to justify tearing it down.”
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said he hates spending money to have nothing at the end, such as paying to remove the bridge.
But, he noted, as did chief administrative officer Dan Wilson, the matter will come back to council during 2023 budget deliberations.
He urged the citizens group to find other sources of funding if they can and to come to council if they do.
“That would trigger reconsideration,” he said.
Mayor Kelly Linton said he likes the idea of maintaining the piers and abutments for potential future use and removing the bridge in 2028 as planned.
He noted that of the 111 bridges in the township, 13 are closed and many are under load restrictions, making the township’s procedure to prioritize bridge repairs, and the dedicated levy for repairing them, both smart and strategic.
Councillor Bob Foster tabled a motion to defer the decision on the bridge, but it failed.
In the end, council voted 4-2 in favour of removing the bridge with VanLeeuwen, MacRae, Dunsmore and Linton in favour and McElwain and Foster opposed.
The Save Middlebrook Bridge Community Action Group stressed the council decision will not deter its members.
“Please continue supporting this cause and spread the word,” its stated in an email.
“We are regrouping to put next steps in place and will keep everyone updated as we progress.”
