To bridge or not to bridge–that is the question.
The question has been partially answered by Bruce County’s Transportation and Environmental Services Committee.
Chances are many people may not know the name–the Arran Township Shed Bridge–in Invermay, but most will know of it as the single-lane wooden decked span..
It’s on Concession Road 6, just west of Bruce Road 10 that’s a shortcut connecting Bruce Roads 10 and 17.
The county Transportation Committee has voted to close the bridge to all traffic because of the deteriorating condition.
Director Miguel Pelletier says the bridge usually opens to traffic in April each year but because of its poor condition, consultants have recommended the bridge not open again unless hundreds of thousands of dollars if not millions, in repairs are done.
County councillor and Arran Elderslie mayor Steve Hammell would like to see the bridge repurposed as a pedestrian walkway however “The municipality does not want ownership (of the bridge) now or in the future.”
County councillor and Saugeen Shores mayor Luke Charbonneau says it may be time to make the tough decision of removing the bridge entirely and being done with it because of escalating costs to maintain and repair the 1913 structure.
The committee agreed to close the bridge while and the county and Arran Elderslie talk about future uses and responsibilities.
Pelletier will report back in 6-months.
