For the fourth time in the past year, the reopening of the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge has been delayed — this time until the fall.
“Parks Canada was recently informed by the contractor that progress on the refabrication of the mechanical components for the bridge has been slower than expected and has resulted in further delays to the rehabilitation project schedule,” reads a media release from Parks Canada on Wednesday afternoon (February 9).
The project to rehabilitate the bridge, which began in October 2020, was originally scheduled to be completed last May. Delays with the fabrication and delivery of hydraulic and mechanical components, and the discovery that some components of the bridge were in worse condition than originally anticipated, changed the expected completion date to the summer.
Last July, Parks Canada announced the bridge would not reopen in the summer because key mechanical components involved in rotating the bridge needed to be refabricated as they did not meet safety and quality standards. The refabricated components were to be installed in October following the closing of the navigation season, with the bridge expected to reopen for vehicle use in December.
In December, Parks Canada announced a new consultant has been brought onto the project to review and finalize the design and the refabrication of required components for the bridge. After the review of the project, the contractor advised Parks Canada the reopening of the bridge needed to be pushed to spring 2022 due to issues mainly associated with the mechanical component refabrication.
“Design and refabrication of the mechanical components for the bridge continues offsite,” Parks Canada states. “The components are expected to arrive on location through the spring and summer 2022 at which time they will be installed. Once installation of the components has begun, the remainder of the bridge work will be able to continue with an expected completion in late summer/early fall and bridge reopening scheduled for fall 2022 once testing has been completed.”
Parks Canada says the bridge work is not expected to impede boat navigation, as the work does not impact the nearby Lock 32.
The enhanced pedestrian access over the upper lock gates and its access paths will continue to remain open until the bridge project has been completed.
“Parks Canada is working closely with the Contractor to bring the project to its completion,” reads the media release “Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.”
