Council approves $2.3M tender for Stonehouse walking bridge

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Upgrades are coming for a popular pedestrian crossing over the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg.

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Council approves $2.3M tender for Stonehouse walking bridge Back to video

Chatham-Kent council approved a $2.3-million tender for the rehabilitation of the L.O. Stonehouse walking bridge during Monday’s meeting.

Dayson Industrial Services Inc., of Hamilton, will perform the work on the approximately 81-metre structure.

Council also approved consulting engineering, at a cost of $115,000, be awarded to Dillon Consulting Ltd.

“We’re happy to get that passed, happy to get the support of council to get that work done,” Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall said after the meeting. “It’s been a long time that the bridge has been out.

“I keep telling people it’s short-term pain for a long-term gain.”

According to a staff report, the bridge originally was built in 1910. It was rehabilitated and converted to a pedestrian bridge in 1983. It is located between the Lord Selkirk and Murray Street bridges.

The deck has a width of approximately two metres and a movable lift span to allow larger boats to pass. The maximum navigational clearance is approximately 2.3 m.

In 2003, the south span was replaced, the main span and lift spans were repaired and repainted, and a new winch tower and enclosure were installed.

Rehabilitation of the north span was completed in 2014.

According to an assessment, there are deteriorated structural components such as stringers, bracing, floor beams and bottom chords of the trusses.

In 2021, Dillon Consulting recommended the bridge be shut down in the interest of public safety. The bridge was immediately closed and remains closed.

The work will consist of the following:

• Removal and replacement of the main span and lift span with a truss structure.
• Widening of the lift span to match the width of the other spans.
• Rehabilitation and recoating the north and south spans.
• Mechanical and electrical upgrades to the winch tower and controls.
• Installation of new concrete light standards.
• Installation of LED accent lighting.
• Modifications to some of the concrete piers.

The contractor is required to complete the project by May 15 of next year, coinciding with the beginning of the navigation season.

The existing structure will remain closed to pedestrian traffic during construction. The contractor will accommodate the Wallaceburg antique motor and boat outing (WAMBO) event by providing adequate space to allow boats to pass through the construction area.

Hall said the bridge traditionally has been well used.

“Not only for special events, like WAMBO,” he said. “But for the people that live at Harbour Court. A lot of seniors live there. That’s their link to walk quickly to the downtown.”