Queens Rails to Trails Association is hoping to get the Trestle Trail bridge open this year after it was closed several years ago due to safety concerns.
The Region of Queens and the Association have an agreement to make the bridge shared-use with the association footing much of the bill for repairs and engineering assessments.
In a public meeting Wednesday night, an engineer from CBCL Ltd. highlighted issues with the bridge including deterioration of several piers, from a report commissioned by the Rails to Trails Association.
Most of the damage to the piers is at the tide line and despite their appearance, much of the underwater portion of the piers is still in good shape.
Work will also need to be done on some of the steel super structure and the decking, particularly if ATVs are allowed to use the bridge.
That will require additional curbs and signage.
The initial estimate for the immediate repairs needed to open the bridge is $490,000.
Association president Brian Hatt says they’ve secured about 80 per cent of that, mostly through private donors.
“For the opening we’re still planning to have it open this winter, late fall.”
Hatt admits the timeline is ambitious but he is confident they’ll be able to at the very least get some of the work done before the snow flies – the aim still being to re-open the over 100-year-old bridge in 2018.
The bridge will require two additional construction phases, though Hatt says they may be able to put those two phases together.
The total project will cost over a million dollars.
However, it remains to be seen how ATVs will connect to the bridge if they are allowed to cross it.
Hatt says they’re still looking at options.
“And if we can come with a concrete plan that everyone agrees to, then we’re going to present it to the Region.”
The plan would first be presented to the public for feedback and then taken to council.
Hatt says they have no intention of requesting passage through Pine Grove Park.
The bridge closed after a 2014 engineering report deemed it unsafe.
The municipality held several community meetings to determine what could be done, though nothing was resolved until the association stepped in and offered to take on a role.
The association also has access to other avenues of funding and Hatt says they will be applying for grants to help pay for the project if it gets the green light.
Story and photo by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca
