MAPLETON — Councillors are split over whether to close an aging rural bridge on Sideroad 6 or remove it altogether.
Presented in a new report at a Mapleton council meeting earlier this week, councillors directed staff to dedicate $60,000 towards a comprehensive study on whether to replace or permanently close Bridge MB002, which is located on the north end of Sideroad 6, immediately south of Wellington Road 109, in 2025.
Although currently open to vehicles, the bridge is restricted to a maximum tonnage of nine tonnes and exhibits signs of "extensive deterioration" to many of its structural members, with documented examples of structural deformation and material failure from corrosion.
Replacing the bridge is valued at $1,610,000.
Speaking in favour of closing the bridge during the meeting, Coun. Marlene Ottens said $1.5 million is a lot to spend on a bridge that “serves one house.”
She also questioned whether it’s possible to only close the bridge to vehicle traffic and keep it open for pedestrians and cyclists without having to do major repairs.
Director of public works Jamie Morgan said evaluating whether the bridge is safe for the suggested use will be determined during the consultation process. Staff were unable to provide traffic counts at the meeting.
“It’s not like the residents are left without options,” said Ottens. “I find that it’s a lot of money for something that we could spend a lot more wisely elsewhere.”
Coun. Michael Martin disagreed, saying while it’s a big number, Mapleton is “not in the business of closing bridges.”
“This bridge will be used not just by this house that you see in the picture but by the rest of the community around there … I think it’s important for us to maintain the infrastructure we have and … we need to try and find a way,” said Martin.
Martin later referenced a bowstring-style bridge on Sideroad 18 in Yatton as an example of a bridge the town replaced despite its large price tag and low traffic count.
Morgan said it was rebuilt because the bridge is considered to have heritage value and currently has a 15-tonne weight limit. MB002 does not meet the criteria for heritage designation.
"A lot of people get their wedding pictures done there now because it's such a nice bridge that we redid," said Mayor Gregg Davidson. "But it was quite a bit of money servicing just a few of the farm properties there on a road that is not well-used."
Coun. Amanda Reid suggested waiting for the investigation results before making a decision.
“I don’t love the idea of closing a bridge either but I also can understand this is a big number for what it’s servicing,” said Reid.
The bridge will remain open for 2025 with the replacement or retirement occurring in 2026.
A dual report on options for closing or replacing the bridge will return to council at a future meeting.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
