A new Forks Road Bridge should be a simple structure with two lanes and at least one side having a sidewalk, says the co-chair of the Welland Bridge 18 Committee.

"We want it replaced. It's a critical link …" says Sharon Major.

Major says the need for the sidewalk is due to people who fish from the bridge, who use it to walk or cycle over and for those who view South Niagara Rowing Club events from it.

"A lot of people come down for competitions … it's for safety," she says of the sidewalk, adding at least one side would be beneficial to residents.

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.

Major says while no one wants to lose access to the vital community link, safety does come first.

Demolition of the bridge, over the former Welland Canal, begins Monday with Schouten Excavating Inc. carrying out the work at am estimated cost of $1.14 million.

Major says a simple concrete bridge, something like structures over the recreational waterway at Lincoln Street, Ontario Road and Division Street, or as simple as the O'Reilly's Bridge over the Welland River in Pelham, would do.

"It doesn't have to be anything huge … it needs to be functional," says Major, adding the bridge should be the most affordable possible.

Mayor Frank Campion says the city is still seeking funding for a new structure and that a report will come before council on Tuesday, April 23.

The city is looking at the rural and northern stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The stream is open for eight weeks and focuses on road, bridge, air or marine infrastructure in rural and northern communities with populations under 100,000 people.

"We're working on a proposal to fit in that stream. It's up to a maximum cost of $5 million … we're looking at a solution that fits into that," the mayor says.

Estimates on a new structure have ranged between $9 million and $13 million.

Major says she hopes the mayor sticks to a promise he made at a public meeting in Dain City to replace the bridge.

According to city plans, Schouten Excavating must remove the centre span by May 1, and the approach spans on both sides by the end of May.

No one will be allowed under the bridge before May 1, a move that affects South Niagara Rowing Club. The club's rowing course is south of the bridge, while its clubhouse is north.

Campion says the plan is for Schouten to remove the centre span, float it on barges to the side of the waterway and then take it apart.

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With the bridge coming down, committee co-chair Steve Falusi wonders if there will be security on site.

Falusi says an SUV attempted to drive across the bridge earlier this week to the west side from the east. A security fence and concrete barriers to prevent vehicles from crossing the structure had been moved to allow Schouten to move equipment on the structure.

He's also concerned over access to Dain City, wondering how a crumbling St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. service road is unsafe for regular vehicles but all right for use by emergency vehicles.

Falusi says he contacted both the Seaway and city over the issue but has yet to hear back.

"I'm really concerned for our safety at this point."

As the bridge comes down, Falusi says he, Major and other committee members will document its demolition. He says there are Dain City residents out nearly every day taking photos of the bridge.

- Welland Canal lands lease amended to allow for Forks Road Bridge demolition in Dain City

- Campion says Welland committed to new Dain City bridge

- Forks Road Bridge demolition to cost $1.14M

- Welland puts safety measures in place around Forks Road bridge demolition