Still no reopening dates for 2 Parks Canada swing bridges in Kawartha Lakes – Peterborough | 24CA News
No timelines have been given as repairs proceed on two Parks Canada swing bridges in villages within the City of Kawartha Lakes, Ont.
On Tuesday, Parks Canada mentioned there stays no date to reopen the swing bridges in both Bobcaygeon or Bolsover.
In Bobcaygeon, the swing bridge over Lock 32 of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) has been closed for building since November 2020.
Plagued by delays, together with the COVID-19 pandemic and structural challenges, the undertaking is reconstructing the bridge, which was inbuilt 1921 and is within the coronary heart of the village.
According to Nicole Weber, a Parks Canada senior engineer for Ontario waterways, crews are making progress however a reopening date has not been set.
“Last week we placed concrete on the abutment cap, which is the final piece to allow the bridge to swing close and open,” she mentioned. “Final testing is underway.”
Businesses within the space say they’ve been impacted by the bridge closure as fewer boaters are travelling the lock system within the space north of Lindsay.
Adam Matthews, proprietor of 72 Bolton sports activities cafe, says he and different business house owners proceed to hunt solutions on a reopening.
“We have seen businesses closed on the main street, which hasn’t happened in decades in Bobcaygeon,” he mentioned. “So it’s a true tell that the bridge is affecting business and it’s going to have a long-term effect on this town.”
Bolsover bridge
Forty-five minutes northwest in Bolsover, the Boundary Road swing bridge close to TSW Lock 37 has been closed and eliminated since January 2021. The closure eliminated entry to the village through Simcoe Street.
Parks Canada famous in October 2021, the undertaking was first halted after an preliminary contractor “failed to finish the bridge within the required timeframe.”
Then a second building shutdown occurred in November 2022 following “limited response” on contractor bids, together with one bid that was “exceeding available project funding,” in response to Parks Canada.
Weber says the seek for a brand new contractor to do the work continues.
“That’s where we are at and the project remains on hold as we consider our options moving forward,” she mentioned.
That’s not sitting effectively with some residents, together with June Wilson, who lives throughout from the waterway. She believes the development delay impacted emergency crews’ response for her husband, who died following a coronary heart assault.
“They (ambulance) were right on the other side of the bridge, but the bridge was out and they had to go around,” she mentioned. “By the time they got around, it was too late.”
Resident Robert Amour says the bridge is the first artery for the group and its companies and first responders. He says the delays have dragged on too lengthy.
“Come on, where is the prime minster? Where is the minster of environment and climate change? Look after your own country, Minster (Stephen) Guilbeault. This is completely ridiculous.”
Added resident Rory Freedman: “They are completely ignoring our community.”
Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock MP Jamie Schmale says he understands the considerations from residents in each communities.
“We need to ensure that if Parks Canada can’t do this job, then we bring in a ministry that can,” he mentioned.
— with information from Tricia Mason/Global News Peterborough
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
