Bridge over Chilligo-Ellis Creek in Hespeler due to be replaced

Bridge over Chilligo-Ellis Creek in Hespeler due to be replaced

Source: therecord

4/13/2020

The sign bolted to the wooden bridge over Chilligo-Ellis Creek, due to be replaced later this year, had clearly been tampered with by a Mill Run Trail mischief maker.

"Assembly prohibited on bridge. No more than — 2 people at any time," it said.

It should say 12 people at any time. But the '1' has been whited out and replaced with an awkward and confusing dash.

No, the 50-year-old wooden structure will not collapse into the cool water creek should two runners and a cyclist attempt to cross its well-worn 20 metres at the same time.

"In 2018, the City hired a structural engineer to co-ordinate some minor bridge repair work to ensure the existing structure was solid as we could co-ordinate its full replacement," city landscape architect Shane Taylor said in an email to The Record on Thursday.

The structural engineer, Taylor said, assigned a load rating of 12 people, not two.

A maintenance agreement with the Grand River Conservation Authority — a five-year deal will cost the city $2 — will go to city council's general committee for approval on Tuesday.

Structural design of the new bridge is almost done. It will go to tender in a few weeks.