CENTRE WELLINGTON — Staff have warned weight restrictions on a local bridge will likely interfere with neighbouring agricultural operations.
According to the township's engineering services coordinator Adam Dickieson, three of the township's six bridges with load restrictions require updates including Bridge 29-WG on Fifth Line, which currently has a load posting of 15-28-39 that will be lowered to five tonnes. A height restriction of three metres will also be put in place.
Approving the updates at a Centre Wellington council meeting Monday afternoon, Dickieson said this recommendation is due to "some deterioration" identified during a November inspection which staff said was "quite concerning."
When asked how the restrictions will impact neighbouring agricultural operations, Dickieson said "almost every agricultural piece of equipment" will not fall within the weight restrictions and farmers will have to drive around.
The restrictions will also mean fire trucks are unable to use this route; "the average ambulance" and police cars should be fine, said Dickieson.
Councillor Lisa MacDonald asked how staff plan on restricting gravel trucks- which are 20 tonnes on average- from using the bridge.
"This is a difficult thing to enforce and stay on top of from a township staff perspective," said Dickieson, suggesting the township approach the OPP to impose vehicle inspections.
"It's just a matter of maintaining that relationship with the OPP," said Dickieson. "They're busy with so many things, and if they can help us, I'm sure they will."
Staff said area residents have been notified of the change and a notification sign has been erected on the bridge.
Existing load restrictions will also be increased on bridges 3-N on Beatty Line and 26-P on First Line West after staff completed improvements in 2024.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
