MAPLETON — Staff want more time to figure out whether to invest in replacing an aging, rural bridge or close it permanently.
In a new report, staff have recommended Mapleton council dedicate $60,000 towards a comprehensive study on whether to replace or permanently close Bridge MB002, which is located on the north end of Sideroad 6, immediately south of Wellington Road 109, in 2025.
If approved, funds totalling $1,284,644 previously allocated in the budget for the bridge would be deferred to 2026.
This follows council questioning permanently closing the bridge during the 2024 and 2025 Capital Budget presentations last month.
Although currently open to vehicular use, an assessment report said the bridge is restricted to a maximum tonnage of nine tonnes and exhibits signs of "extensive deterioration" to many of its structural members, with documented examples of structural deformation and material failure from corrosion.
Connection points between the bridge and abutments as well as the support structure below the road deck show signs of "advanced deterioration".
A 2022 Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) report on the bridge previously identified it to be in overall poor conditions and recommended replacement within one to five years.
"During the site visit multiple points of ‘rust through’ were observed and advanced stages of corrosion were observed at many structural junctions," said the report.
While replacing the bridge is currently in the 2025 capital budget as costing $1,344,644, a new Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM) report received by staff put the replacement value at $1,610,000.
Staff said the bridge will remain open for 2025 with the replacement or retirement occurring in 2026.
Recommended minor maintenance will occur over the next year and if a temporary closure is required, staff will return to council with the appropriate bylaw.
Representing a surviving example of a single span riveted steel American Warren Pony Truss bridge, Bridge MB002 is believed to have been constructed in 1910, remains "largely unaltered" and is stylistically a surviving example of a once common bridge style that was constructed in great numbers across Ontario.
It does not meet the criteria for a heritage designation.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
