Wellington County is getting $49,500 from the federal government to improve the Trestle Bridge Trail here.
Atop the Trestle Bridge high above the Grand River, Guelph MP Lloyd Longfield made the announcement on July 27 on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
Longfield said $49,500 in funding from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will be used to repair the Trestle Bridge Trail’s pedestrian bridges.
He explained the program “represents a commitment of over $300-million across Canada to renovate, expand and improve community infrastructure and to leave a lasting mark for Canada’s 150th anniversary.”
Longfield said “whether you are enjoying the beauty of the hiking trails or the bridge, we’re getting people out to enjoy Canada.”
He said over 350 projects have been approved in Ontario through intake two of the program.
Improvements to the Trestle Bridge Trail’s pedestrian bridges include: concrete repairs, timber railway tie repairs and replacements, replacement of a wooden walking surface with a composite material, upgrading existing steel beam guide rails, and removal of trees and vegetation that could eventually damage the bridge abutment and stone piers.
“One of the pedestrian bridges, the Trestle Bridge, namesake of the trail … connects to the Wellington County Museum and Archives property – a national historic site,” Longfield said.
He added he has been told Wellington County “has more bridges than any other county in Ontario.”
Longfield concluded, “I know the people here and those in Guelph and surrounding regions will come here to enjoy this for many years.”
Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong thanked the federal government for continuing to invest in infrastructure in Wellington County.
He also thanked Warden Dennis Lever for the county’s continued investment in infrastructure.
“I think on our country’s 150th anniversary it is good to remember why we are celebrating this anniversary,” said Chong. “It was a remarkable thing which happened 150 years ago.”
Chong said one of the driving forces for Confederation was democratic reform.
He added one of the aspects of that reform was to establish representation by population so that each Canadian’s vote had an equal weight.
“One of those reformers lived just down the river in Elora: Charles Clarke.”
A historical plaque recognizing Clarke’s contributions is located at the intersection of Geddes and Church Streets in Elora.
Wellington County Warden Dennis Lever thanked Longfield and Chong for attending. He also thanked the federal economic development agency for southern Ontario for choosing the Trestle Bridge Trail as one of its projects.
“By supporting the rehabilitation of the CNR subway bridge and the Trestle Bridge, the County of Wellington is able to address the structural issues before they become an issue and prevent problems in the future,” said Lever, adding “improvements in these two structures also have strong economic benefits to the community.”
He pointed to the improved access to local cultural sites, increased safety on the structure and encouraging active lifestyles.
“All these benefits help the county create more vibrant and active communities, while meeting the objectives of our municipal trail plans. This is really a wonderful example of what the community, the county and other levels of government can do when they work together.”
Lever thanked other partners in the project, including Centre Wellington Township, Wellington County’s planning and engineering departments, and community partners such as the Elora Cataract Trailway Association and the Grand River Conservation Authority.
“We are all looking forward to the improvements and hoping the Trestle Bridge Trail system continues on to help Wellington County and its entire trail system thrive,” said Lever.
Ward 6 county councillor Shawn Watters noted the bridge has served the community for over 120 years.
“This is part of our history,” said Watters.
However, he also noted the bridge and trail are part of the community’s modern connectivity.
