The Middlebrook Place Bridge, a rural bridge on the boundary of Centre Wellington and Woolwich, is slated to be demolished and won’t be replaced.
The bridge, located on Township Road 60 just off Middlebrook Road, is a historic single-span steel pratt camelback through truss bridge first built in the early-1900s but was upgraded more closely to how it looks now in 1946.
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 but pedestrians and cyclists have remained users.
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.
A group who call the bridge an important connection to nature and trails have banded together to save it.
However, the group has some catching up to do as many did not find out it was being demolished until it was barricaded in spring 2021.
Elora resident Stephanie Lines-Toohill said she was floored when she saw a paper notice posted on the bridge indicating it would be barricaded back in April.
She said the bridge is more than just a crossing, it’s a destination.
“It’s not only a bridge that connects us to our local history, it’s also a special crossing over a beautiful bend in the Grand River where wildlife and trails flourish,” Lines-Toohill said, adding it has been great for people’s mental wellness during lockdowns.
Mark Walker, an avid cyclist from Elora, said he was also blindsided by this news after a fellow cyclist told him about it this spring.
He noted it’s a popular crossing for those involved in gravel/adventure riding, which he called one of the fastest growing segments of cycling recently. He said this type of riding is appealing to those who want to get away from the traffic and experience beautiful countryside views.
The bridge’s location on a quiet road, he said, is ideal to allow for this kind of riding.
“The position of it means that I can, or any gravel rider, can link together many lightly travelled safe routes,” Walker said, noting its proximity to the Guelph to Goderich, Elora Cataract and Cottontail trails.
Lines-Toohill and Walker also have the support of the Waterloo Cycling Club, Speed River Cycling Club, Guelph Trail User Group Coalition and the backing of other citizens who have sent delegate letters to Woolwich and Centre Wellington.
Both are aware a decision has been made by both councils but neither felt there was meaningful input from citizens because it came as a surprise to many.
“It was a complete shock and I think that’s why this has happened because people are shocked we had no prior warning,” Lines-Toohill said. “I really believe the public were not engaged in a meaningful way.”
Woolwich engineering project supervisor Ryan Tucker said in a phone call they would have sent notice of study commencement and completion and posted required ads in the local newspaper. Colin Baker, Centre Wellington’s director of infrastructure, confirmed they did the same thing.
Tucker also noted they held a public consultation session at a local community church.
However, it was sparsely attended. Centre Wellington coun. Kirk McElwain said in an email he and his wife made up half of the four attendees.
Tucker said in his experience, these things can fly under people’s radar until something happens and this is a perfect example of that.
“It’s one of those things where unless you’re really engaged or interested in these structures then you’re not going to see that public engagement, it’s not right in your face,” Tucker said.
“Public engagement is more focused on the residents in the area.”
Tucker said there was no sign posted at the bridge indicating there was a study taking place but moving forward the township may consider doing that.
Woolwich mayor Sandy Shantz said in a phone call for this to be reconsidered, council would need to pass a motion directing staff to re-examine it. Centre Wellington council would have to as well.
Tucker also said in an email this would also require some more steps in the environmental assessment.
“An amendment would need to be undertaken for the Environmental Assessment, and additional studies would be needed to be undertaken if required,” Tucker said. “Public consultation on the new preferred option would also be a requirement of the amendment.”
Toohill-Lines acknowledged they’re fighting an uphill battle with this but still thinks it would be worth it to reconsider and look at alternative funding options that would come with the increased cost. After the recent delegation to Woolwich council, Lines-Toohill and Walker plan to address Centre Wellington council in the near future.
“I’m not giving up because it’s a really, really special place and if anyone has a chance to visit they will understand why,” Lines-Toohill said.
