Public meeting set for Wallaceburg walking bridge

walking bridge - Lou Stonehouse

A public meeting has been scheduled to discuss Wallaceburg’s walking bridge.

Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley told the Sydenham Current that final drawings for the repair of the Stonehouse Walking Bridge are now in the hands of Chatham-Kent staff.

“A public information meeting is being scheduled for November 12 at the Wallaceburg Municipal Service Centre,” he said. “At this meeting details will be discussed and public input will be sought… it is very important for those with an interest in this bridge to attend.”

Wesley said more details and specific times are still being confirmed.

“Getting to this point should not have taken this long but at least we are there,” he said.

Construction work on the bridge has been delayed on numerous occasions.

Stephen Jahns, manager of infrastructure and transportation, said the construction likely won’t take place until the spring.

“We have not met the mark with this project,” Jahns told council at a Sept. 9 council meeting.

Jahns cited coordination issues with the consultant as one of the reasons for it being pushed back.

“The project will be delayed,” he said.

The bridge was a hot button issue last year as it was nearly on the chopping block.

A service review by the municipality listed the walking bridge as one of many that were to be shut down.

The community rallied together when this news spread.

Petitions were created, signatures gathered and people came forward in support of keeping the bridge in the community.

During this years budget deliberations, Wesley entered a successful motion to have the structure repaired, with a maximum budget of $500,000 coming from reserves.

Many people from the community stepped up to the plate to assist with the project and provide supplies as well, in order to reduce cost.

We’ll provide more information when it becomes available.

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