LAURIE WEIR

Smiths Falls council will move forward with plans to replace Confederation Drive river crossing with a new timber pedestrian bridge.

During the recent committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 7, council passed a bylaw to award the design and construction contract to StructureCraft Builders Inc. for the project, which is expected to be completed next summer.

The decision follows a Request for Proposal (RFP) that drew five submissions from various construction companies. StructureCraft Builders Inc. from British Columbia was selected based on its comprehensive proposal, which included a Clear Span Shallow Arch design, recognized for its aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The project will utilize Alaskan Yellow Cedar Glulam materials, enhancing both durability and visual attractiveness. The cost quoted also included the removal of the old bridge.

Originally budgeted at $1.367 million, the replacement project has faced funding challenges, as the available budget has dwindled to approximately $1.25 million. This leaves a shortfall of around $850,000, which will need to be accounted for in the 2025 Capital Budget. Town staff are also pursuing additional funding through the Green Construction through Wood (GC Wood) grant program, which may provide up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs. They are through the first phase of the approval process, Grant McMunn, director of public works, informed council.

The new pedestrian bridge is designed to improve accessibility and promote outdoor activities in the area, serving as a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists. The existing steel bridge, which has been out of service, has prompted the town to explore more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing options.

With the project’s approval by the majority of council, the construction timeline has been set, aiming for the new bridge to be operational by June 2025. An additional $30,000 for an upstream viewing platform was suggested by Coun. Chris McGuire.

McGuire said the new bridge’s materials (stone, steel and timber) will be reflective of what has been built in that space over the decades. “The first bridge built there was timber,” he said. “The bridge that we’re taking down now is metal, and the stone has been so critical in the building of the locks, the abutments, the dam … it really brings all of those traditional building materials together.”

In a way that only Smiths Falls does, McGuire said the new bridge will take something modern and pair it with traditional means. “By doing that, we’re having a lower carbon footprint.” He added that he’d like to see an investment by this council into a “real legacy project.”

Councillors Jay Brennan and Steve Robinson didn’t support the recommendation saying other high priorities in town needed funding – like the infrastructure, the water tower project, roads and sidewalks, and even the parks and recreation plans.

The removal of the old bridge was slated for this fall (mid-November), but McMunn said it may be easier for StructureCraft if they only had to mobilize once in the spring to remove the old bridge and replace it with the new one. Holding off on the removal of the bridge wouldn’t make much difference, he said as the community would see that they’re moving forward on the work.  

Mayor Shawn Pankow said this initiative reflects the town’s commitment to enhancing community infrastructure while embracing environmentally friendly practices.

Council is optimistic that the new pedestrian bridge will become a showpiece landmark … “the first of its kind in eastern Canada,” Pankow said, and a valuable asset to the community.