CENTRE WELLINGTON – Save Middlebrook Bridge group is feeling hopeful after the Centre Wellington council decided to reconsider the fate of Middlebrook Place bridge.
During its Monday meeting, council voted 4-2 to reconsider previously approved plans that would see Middlebrook Place bridge removed. This does not mean, however, that council will change its decision. It's now open to reviewing alternative steps for the bridge other than removal.
Now, the bridge’s fate lies in the hands of the Township of Woolwich.
Centre Wellington council directed staff to liaise with Woolwich Township council and staff to find out if they would also be willing to reconsider.
“While I understand Centre Wellington has decided to revisit it, we’re waiting to hear back from their staff, so we know the details and get it through the proper channels and appropriate betting from our engineers,” said Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz in an interview with EloraFergusToday.
“Unless a councillor wants to raise this bridge again, we’re just waiting for both staff to communicate. Until that happens, I don’t expect anything else to change.”
The bridge is shared between the two townships, with Woolwich responsible for maintenance and capital works while Centre Wellington pays half of any associated costs.
It has been closed to vehicles since 2013.
Both township councils passed a staff recommendation to demolish it in January 2020. The report indicated this was the most cost effective option and the bridge historically had high ongoing maintenance costs and was in an advanced state of deterioration.
The Save Middlebrook Bridge group is not losing hope.
Stephanie Lines-Toohill, a member of the group, stated that they are continuously advocating for the rehabilitation of the bridge by sending letters to the Township of Woolwich.
“We’re not losing hope. The group and I hope that Woolwich staff recommend to council to agree and vote to reconsider and look at different options for the bridge,” said Lines-Toohill in an interview with EloraFergusToday.
“Even if both councils vote to remove the bridge and agree with the original figures of $700,000 to remove the bridge, it’s another $200,000 to rehabilitate it, which is a nominal amount to save something so important. Our group may come forward and offer to fundraise the difference to save the bridge.”
Lines-Toohill noted that there are some grants that offer funding to save old and historical infrastructures; she believes the group will rally and fundraise and find grants to cover the costs to rehabilitate rather than removing the bridge.
