Two major bridges in Centre Wellington have been re-opened, with a grand opening celebration taking place on June 26 from 11am to noon.
“This is amazing News for our residents and neighbours of Bridge 27WG and Bridge 9WG,” said Mayor Kelly Linton.
“I cannot emphasize this enough – our two per cent bridge rebuilding capital levy, implemented in 2015, was a vital move by council to rebuild bridges in Centre Wellington. …
“We are now on a path that will build/rebuild nine bridges in this term of council, seven of which are funded in whole or in part by this levy. I am looking forward to celebrating the opening of both of these bridges, and our continuation of infrastructure renewal in Centre Wellington.”
Bridge 27WG
The previous Bridge 27-WG was a 14m long by 5m wide concrete bowstring arch bridge built circa 1920, which was almost 100 years old. The bridge spanned the Irvine Creek on Sideroad 20 between the 5th and 6th Line in the former Township of West Garafraxa.
It was in severe disrepair and was closed to traffic in 2015 due to safety concerns.
To address the condition the decision was made on a recommended solution to replace it with a new typical modern concrete girder bridge.”
The contract awarded to Sierra Bridge Inc. of Woodstock on July 21, 2017 in the amount of $1,765,149 included removing the previous single lane bridge and replacing it with a larger free-span two lane concrete girder structure.
Of particular note, the MNRF identified this section of Irvine Creek as having suitable habitat for redside dace fish, a species at risk under the Endangered Species Act.
The township worked with its consultants to obtain the required permits from the MNRF, DFO and GRCA to be able to proceed with the bridge construction.
In addition, since the redside dace has not been spotted on the Irvine Creek for the past 16 years, the MNRF required the township to complete a fish survey and environmental monitoring during construction as well as a subsequent four-year fish sampling and monitoring program as a condition of the permit in order to provide data on the presence or absence of redside dace in the Irvine Creek.
Bridge 9WG
A new concrete bridge (9WG) over the Irvine Creek is now open. Located on the 7th Line of the former West Garafraxa Township between Sideroad 20 and Sideroad 25, this bridge is the third project funded partially by the Province’s Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF).
The roadway was closed on July 10, 2014 when the former 100-year-old bridge had serious structural and public safety concerns.
The pre-existing structure, built in 1908, remained an important link for area farmers and residents. This roadway link has reopened with the a new two-lane bridge.
Tendered in May
The bridge project was tendered in May 2017 and awarded to MTM-2 Contracting Inc. Milton in June, 2017 with a total construction cost of $943,000.
Work included demolition of the existing bridge and replacement with a new two-lane structure built to current Canadian Bridge Design Code requirements, which will provide a service life of an estimated 90 years.
The grand opening for both of these bridges will take place on June 26 at 11am.
Those interested in attending should meet directly at Bridge 27WG.
Bridge 9WG grand opening will take place following Bridge 27WG at 11:30am.
Bridge 27WG is located on Sideroad 20 between the 5th and 6th Line. Bridge 9WG is on the 7th Line between Sideroad 20 and Sideroad 25.
In case of inclement weather, the backup date is scheduled for June 27 from 11am to noon.
