Arran-Elderslie is looking at what to do with over two dozen aging bridges in the municipality.
It’s been working on creating a bridge infrastructure master plan.
Consultants at BM Ross say about $3 million in work is needed over the next five years. They’re recommending closing some bridges and either replace or repairing others for as long as it’s feasible before those are also closed and removed. The remaining crossings would either be repaired or replaced.
A public meeting on bridges was held in September of 2023.
Consultants say the municipality could save $10 million if it closed six bridges by the year 2050 that were built in the 1920s and 1930s.
Next steps in the master plan process include council deciding on what preliminary approach it will prefers. BM Ross says there will be more consultation with residents. There are more bridge inspections set to be conducted in 2024.