Construction has begun on a new Niska Road Bridge, says the city of Guelph website.
Bridge construction initiated Sept. 10 and will continue throughout the winter, with a May 2019 target completion date, weather permitting. Niska Road remains closed from Pioneer Trail to the city limits to allow for construction.
The previous single-lane Bailey bridge located on Niska Road spanning the Speed River was removed in March. It had been put in place as a temporary fix in 1974 to replace the previous 1920s-era bridge, which had collapsed.
The Bailey bridge was supposed to be in operation only one year.
During a July open house, concerns remained about traffic volume, in particular trucks, using the bridge as a shortcut to avoid several traffic lights on the Hanlon Expressway.
Installation of the new two-lane bowstring arch truss is being completed by Sierra Bridge of Woodstock. It was designed by Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions.
The bridge will be built in sections elsewhere, then assembled on site.
Environmental considerations, including no work in the Speed River during certain spawning times, are in place.
Tree removal has taken place and no further tree removal is anticipated, says the city.
Pedestrian access along the newly created multi-use path will be permitted for the majority of construction, though access will be restricted at the discretion of the contractor when safety is a concern.
During the open house, the price tag of the entire project was pegged at $6 million.
