Although construction of the 100 steps pedestrian bridge is complete, there appears to be some bureaucratic red tape temporarily standing in the way of it being reopened.
The issue is complicated because different parts of the pedestrian walkway are owned or operated by different entities, said Andrew Janes, city of Guelph project engineer.
The city owns and maintains the steps themselves, said Janes, while Metrolinx owns the bridge itself.
To complicate the matter further, said Janes, the tracks over which the bridge spans are owned by Metrolinx, but operated by Goderich-Exeter Railway.
The construction of the bridge replacement has been completed, said Scott Money, media relations spokesperson for Metrolinx.
“We accomplished the work due to a collaborative effort between Metrolinx, the city of Guelph and our freight partners,” said Money.
Barriers are placed at each entrance to the walkway, along with signs asking people to not to use it.
“Although it is structurally sound, we encourage the public to follow the signage and not bypass the barricades,” said Money.
Janes said Public Works began clearing snow from the steps yesterday and laying down salt and sand.
“We know people are using it at this point, so we had to make the stairs safe,” said Janes.
The popular city pedestrian cut-through was closed in August after corrosion was found on the steel structure of the bridge during a routine inspection.
The pedestrian walkway connects Elizabeth Street to Grove and Metcalf streets by crossing over the railroad tracks.
The city is waiting for a final inspection by Goderich-Exeter before declaring the bridge safe to use, said Janes.
The walkway is expected to reopen on the same day the city receives confirmation of the inspection from Goderich-Exeter.
The inspection will be completed by Monday, said Claudine Bois, communications advisor with Goderich-Exeter Railway.
Goderich-Exeter Railway also recommends people obey the signage on the barricades, said Bois.
“When they give us the go ahead all we have to do is remove the sign at the bottom and the top and take out those two barriers,” said Janes.
At 12 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2018 this article was updated with comment from a communications advisor with Goderich-Exeter Railway.
