NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF GUELPH
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GUELPH, ONT., - The City of Guelph is looking for community input on the future of the Norwich Street bridge, and on the construction of two cycling and pedestrian bridges over the Speed River in the area of Macdonell and Arthur streets.
Two open houses, for each project, will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at City Hall.
Norwich Street bridge
The Norwich Street bridge open house is an opportunity for the public to review and discuss a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study for proposed changes to the bridge, located on the former Norwich Street right-of-way over the Speed River, between Cardigan Street and Arthur Street North.
The Norwich Street bridge, which closed to vehicle traffic in 2004, is currently used exclusively as a pedestrian crossing.
The bridge is deteriorating due to age and the City will consider a number of possible solutions as part of the EA study, including: rehabilitation; replacement; removal; and a permanent closure of the bridge.
The Ward to Downtown bridges
To better connect the Ward 1 (St. Patrick’s Ward) community to the downtown core, two new bridges are planned over the Speed River.
The City is proposing constructing the first bridge south of the Guelph Junction Railway tracks to link a future active transportation trail along the tracks from Macdonell to Huron streets through St. Patrick’s Ward.
A second pedestrian bridge is proposed within the study area located further south along the Speed River. The second bridge will address an anticipated increase in pedestrian and cycling traffic generated from new and planned residential development such as the Metalworks condominium development and to facilitate connectivity to the Guelph Central Station.
The community is invited to review and discuss the Class EA study at the open house. Feedback can also be submitted through an online survey available at guelph.ca/haveyoursay. The input received will help the City identify preferred locations, how the bridges will be used, and any impacts the bridges may have on individuals or the neighbourhood. The survey closes September 25.
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