Although the lobby of the Grand Theatre was slightly cramped, there was a lot of interest in the proposed St. David Street bridge reconstruction.
The downtown bridge is part of the town’s connecting link section of Highway 6.
The single span structure crossing the Grand River in is deteriorating in terms of its structural integrity.
In addition to work on the bridge, there are repairs proposed from the intersection of St. David, Bridge and Queen Streets south of the Grand River north to St. Andrew and St. David Street intersection.
Bypass routes
Heading north, Highway 6 traffic will turn right onto Belsyde Avenue, turn left onto Scotland Street.
Crossing the Grand River Scotland Street heads uphill as Gartshore Street.
Traffic would continue north on Gartshore, turning left at Gordon Street and head west to St. David Street N. (Highway 6), then turn right to head north.
Heavy truck bypass
Heading north on Highway 6, traffic will be diverted south of Fergus at the intersection of Highway 6 and Wellington Road 7 (just north of Marden).
Traffic would head north on the county road through Elora, Salem and to Alma.
There, traffic would turn right onto Wellington Road 17 to Highway 6 before turning left to head north on the highway.
Next steps
The next steps include responding to comments and suggestions from the public and agencies to select a preferred solution.
Another public information meeting is planned for December with submission of recommended solutions to Centre Wellington council.
The intent is to complete the contract, drawings and tender documents in 2017.
Utilities are to be relocated in 2017 and if things go as planned, bridge and road construction would begin in January/February 2018 and end in Fall 2018.
