The bridge on Fourth Line between Sideroad 30 and County Road 22 (Structure No. 5-E / Speed River Bridge) is closed indefinitely due to structural concerns.
Centre Wellington Superintendent of Public Works Les Davidson explained that the bridge, built in 1928, was one of a number of bridges “we were keeping a close eye on.”
When the Fourth Line bridge was inspected on Aug. 22, the report came back from K. Smart Engineering indicated the bridge was failing rapidly to the point of needing to be closed immediately.
“We had to act quickly to get it shut down for safety reasons,” Davidson explained.
“The bridge deck itself was failing.”
Davidson explained the township regularly monitors the condition of its bridges, but this one was being monitored more closely because it had shown signs of fatigue.
“The bridge had seemed OK until they looked at it last Thursday.”
He added the structure was showing cracks which were not apparent on previous investigations.
Davidson noted that during the investigation of the bridge, a vehicle travelling across it was actually making it move.
“Obviously there was a concern that a farm implement might fall in. We had to do an emergency closure right there and then.”
Properties on the Fourth Line with fire numbers 6089 – 5997 that are located on the north side of the bridge closure may be accessed from Sideroad 30 and properties with fire numbers 5991 – 5903 that are located on the south side of the bridge road closure may be accessed from County Road 22.
