The area around Forks Road Bridge will be designated a no-fly zone for drones as demolition of the 88-year-old span is expected to begin next week.

Monday, the City of Welland issued a number of public safety measures pertaining to the removal of the bridge, being carried out by Schouten Excavating Inc., over the former Welland Canal in Dain City.

It said drones may disrupt construction and pose a potential safety hazard to crews while work is being carried out. The bridge falls outside the range of Transport Canada regulations for drone flights near airports and helipads.

The bridge was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic in late 2018 due to the structure deteriorating quicker than anticipated even after repairs in 2016. A fall report said the structure could collapse any time within 18 months.

The total cost of demolition is estimated to be $1.14 million, with contingency and inspection fees factored in.

A report on potential funding sources and replacement options will be presented to city council in a staff report at the April 23 general committee meeting.

Other public safety measures at the demolition site include prohibiting access to all pedestrian, vehicular and boating traffic.

"Appropriate safety parameters and signage will be placed around the construction zone and pedestrians are advised to stay clear of the canal banks outside the designated construction zone," the city said in a release.

It said on-water training for waterway user groups will be permitted in designated areas only.

At a public open house and council meetings, Dain City residents have been told that no one, including members of South Niagara Rowing Club, will be allowed to go under the bridge at any time.

Once the centre span is removed — there's a deadline of May 1 for that to happen — user groups will be allowed to use the middle of the waterway.

The east and west approach spans will be removed by May 31.

Updates regarding the bridge will be added to city's YourChannel.welland.ca website.

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Nathaniel.Johnson@niagaradailies.com

905-684-7251 | @DaveJTheTrib