WEST MONTROSE - Repairs to the damaged covered bridge in West Montrose are expected to be undertaken in the coming weeks, in advance of an extensive rehabilitation of the historic structure.

Two cracked wooden support beams will be replaced, perhaps in early November, said Mike Henderson, manager of transportation program development for the Region of Waterloo.

The work will likely take a couple of weeks, and will require a full closure of the bridge. The cracks were first discovered earlier this month and prompted a full closure as engineers assessed the damage. Pedestrians and cyclists have since been allowed back, while vehicles remain banned.

The cracks were most likely caused by an overweight vehicle disobeying the three-tonne weight limit. "Every once in a while the bridge gets overloaded," Henderson said.

Pending an engineer's assessment, it's expected that traffic would be allowed back under the existing load restrictions once the repairs are completed. Costs haven't been finalized.

Built in 1881 of wood, the Kissing Bridge, as it's fondly known, is the only remaining historic covered bridge in Ontario. It has been strengthened over the years with concrete, steel trusses and other materials, but some of those measures are now showing their age.

"It's really time for us to do a wholesale rehabilitation of that structure," Henderson said. Design work is expected next year.

Area residents recently raised concerns about the potential risks posed by ice jams to the iconic bridge. Grand River Conservation Authority staff will assess a large gravel deposit-turned-island just downstream that residents fear could increase the likelihood of a damaging ice jam; residents want it removed from the Grand River before winter sets in.

Henderson said the region will work with the conservation authority to assess perennial flooding and ice jam concerns in the area as the costly bridge rehabilitation project is planned. "It may be we have to look at raising the structure."

Other enhancements could help to change the way water flows around the bridge. The steel Bailey trusses, installed internally in 1959 and then concealed under wood, may be replaced. Those trusses were really intended to be somewhat temporary, Henderson said.

"We want to do a thorough investigation," he said. "It's a designated structure, and of great importance from a heritage perspective ... It is a very unique, very upfront-and-centre tourist attraction for this area, but it does pose some significant challenges for its age."

bdavis@therecord.com

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Twitter: @DavisRecord