Carleton Place’s public works department posted an update on various municipal construction projects yesterday. They indicated there were delays in obtaining certain materials for the repairs to the Gillies Bridge at McArthur Island (commonly known as one of the back bridges) and as a result, it will not open to northbound traffic until early next month. This route is intended to take a substantial amount of detour traffic next year while the central bridge is being replaced.
Hometown News contacted CP’s public works director Guy Bourgon for some clarification on the schedules. He stated that the insulated water-main to be suspended from the Gillies and Mill Street bridges, which was the cause of the recent delay, arrived on-site yesterday (Dec 16th) and the town’s contractor will be installing it next week. At this time, commissioning is scheduled to be completed by the end of the first week in January with the reopening of the Gillies and Mill Street Bridges scheduled prior to January 10th, 2022. The Central Bridge is scheduled to be closed beginning January 10th, 2022. It is the Town’s intent not to have both the Central Bridge and the Gillies/Mill Street bridges closed at the same time.