For the fifth time in the past 17 months, the reopening of the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge has been delayed.
Parks Canada advised in August the bridge rehabilitation project was scheduled to be completed this fall, but has now advised it will remain closed through the end of the 2022 calendar year.
“Mechanical components and hydraulic equipment manufactured for the bridge that were expected to arrive on site this fall have been delayed, moving back the completion date,” reads a media release from Parks Canada.
The project to rehabilitate the bridge, which began in October 2020, was originally scheduled to be completed in May 2021. 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 summer 2021.
In July 2021, Parks Canada announced the bridge would not reopen that summer since 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 2021 following the closing of the navigation season, with the bridge expected to reopen for vehicle use in December 2021.
In December 2021, 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 delayed to spring 2022 due to issues mainly associated with the mechanical component refabrication.
In February 2022, Parks Canada announced the reopening of bridge had been delayed until fall 2022 as the refabrication of the mechanical components for the bridge had been slower than expected. Mechanical components and hydraulic equipment manufactured for the bridge were expected to arrive on site in September. In April, June, and August 2022, Parks Canada advised the bridge reopening continued be on track for fall 2022.
Work completed to date includes the disassembly and media blasting of the bridge steel structure, replacement and painting of the new steel structure, delivery and installation of various mechanical components, installation of the wooden decking on the pedestrian walkway, partial completion of the wooden decking on the vehicular travel path, trenching for new hydraulic and electrical lines, and concrete removals on the bridge abutments.
The remaining tasks include completing concrete works on the bridge abutments, installing the remaining mechanical components, the vehicular bridge deck, hydraulic and electrical components, and paving.
With the latest delay, Parks Canada did not provide an estimated reopening date.
Until the bridge reopens, the enhanced pedestrian access over the upper gates of Lock 32 and its access paths will remain in place.
“Parks Canada continues to work with the contractor, stressing the importance of completing the project,” reads the media release. “We appreciate your patience while we undertake these important investments into the infrastructure in Bobcaygeon.”
