Fountain Street bridge reopens to traffic
CAMBRIDGE — The reconstructed Fountain Street bridge opened Friday, three months ahead of schedule.
The bridge is a vital connection between Preston and Blair, and has been closed to vehicles since work started in December 2016.
“It has been two years coming,” regional Chair Ken Seiling said at an informal ceremony held before the road officially opened at noon.
Seiling drove the first vehicle across the steel girder bridge that stretches about 150 metres over the Grand River.
The project, which cost $14 million, was a challenge because the old bridge needed to be carefully dismantled to avoid any impact on the river ecosystem below. No material or equipment could be in the river, and the existing piers were reused.
“It had to be taken apart piece by piece,” Seiling said. Replacing the span was vital. The previous bridge was built in 1957 and an inspection found it was in poor shape.
The reconstruction was moved ahead to ensure the alternate route was open when construction began on the second section of Highway 401 through Cambridge. Unfortunately, that meant the bridge closure happened alongside the major work on Shantz Hill.
Cambridge Mayor Doug Craig said it’s been a tough few years for Preston and Blair, but he appreciates the region’s big investment in the area’s infrastructure.
The new bridge includes wide multi-use trails on each side of the road for pedestrians and cyclists, plus improved lighting. The sidewalk was extended to Preston Parkway.
Mayor of Wilmot Township Les Armstrong was at the reopening along with family members because there’s a close connection — his late father, Rev. Joseph A. Armstrong, dedicated the previous bridge 60 years ago.
Fran Christie came out Friday morning for one last walk along the bridge with her dogs, Willis and Carl. The bridge remained open to pedestrians and cyclists during the reconstruction, and Christie took advantage.
But it did mean disruption to the bus routes through the area and, ultimately, Christie is glad things are back to normal.
“I am very happy it’s open again — especially for the people it has inconvenienced, which is a lot.”