Puslinch councillors seem to be in favour of a recent engineer’s report recommending the removal of Stroy’s bridge on Sideroad 10 North.
Citing safety and liability issues, Mayor Brad Whitcombe said Aug. 6 there is no part of the bridge that can be salvaged.
Whitcombe was reacting to a report from township engineer Bob Wheildon, of Gamsby and Mannerow, which stated the steel truss structure over the Speed River has deteriorated steadily over 20 years.
Built in 1908, the bridge had to repaired in 1984 after a vehicular collision and again the following year after it received damage from an overloaded vehicle.
Due to deterioration, in 2001 the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic, the deck removed, barricades erected, and a pedestrian walkway erected on one side of the structure. An inspection last year showed continued deterioration – including to the foundation, deck beams and stringers, wingwalls, and handrail – which made the structure unsafe, even for pedestrian traffic.
“[I]t is our opinion that the existing structure and pedestrian walkway form a liability to the township and we recommend the removal of the structure and abutments,” Wheildon said in his report. He added the removal – because of the possible impact on the river – will require the approval of the Grand River Conservation Authority, as well as an environmental assessment.
Public Works Superinten-dent Jim Howlett said it would probably cost upwards of $350,000 for a new pedestrian bridge, but he lamented his department does not have enough money to fix roads, let alone a pedestrian bridge.
He estimated the environmental assessment and removal of the bridge will likely cost between $80,000 to $100,000.
Councillor Don McKay suggested staff could try to determine if funding exists for the removal of bridges.
Whitcombe said the township still owns the road allowance at the site, and if the population of the surrounding area grows in the future, a new structure could be built.
But for now, he added, the township has to address the safety and liability concerns.
