Brantford city councillors have approved an additional $1.5 million to replace the Brant’s Crossing Bridge before going to tender.
The funding increase is in addition to the existing capital project financing from the Canada Community Building Fund Reserve for the project.
The city retained engineering firm WSP Canada Inc. to design the project, with $550,000 budgeted for design and $6.5 million budgeted for construction.
The reason for the project is to replace the existing superstructure with one that is more versatile and accessible to pedestrian and cyclist traffic through a wider deck, which will also be more sustainable.
A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) was completed in 2022, which recommended the existing structure be raised and replaced as it was determined the structure has cultural heritage value.
“The Brant’s Crossing Bridge is an essential pedestrian and cyclist link between the west side of the Grand River and Brantford’s downtown core and is critical for maintaining safe and accessible active transportation routes in this part of the city,” said Jennifer Elliott, director of engineering services with the City of Brantford.
“The new bridge, which will sit 1.5 metres higher than the current structure, addresses future flood and ice jam risks, ensuring longer-term resilience. The bridge also holds deep cultural significance, symbolizing the connection between Brantford’s rich history and its modern urban development.”
City officials say the bridge is named after Joseph Brant, the famous Mohawk leader who helped establish the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve along the Grand River. Brantford itself is named after him and the bridge serves as a reminder of his influence on the area’s development.
Initially, the project was to include a reported $250,000 to cover the cost for the design, construction and installation of a commemorative art sculpture and plaque.
The city had planned to reach out to artists to include pieces of the current structure, but “the (existing) art piece has been removed from the approved increase. There are no next steps,” said Elliott, following council’s vote in favour the project, but the removal of the sculpture at a recent council meeting.
According to Elliott, Brant’s Crossing Bridge and the Lorne Bridge are two of three local bridge’s the MCEA identified for repairs, rehabilitation and/or replacements.
The steel structure is located behind the Brantford Civic Centre and Earl Haig Family Fun Park, between the Lorne Bridge and the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo crossing bridge.
It is a key pedestrian transportation corridor, linking Brantford’s west side of the Grand River to the east.
City officials also say it is an important connection for the residents of Lorne Towers — a city-owned and operated building that is part of the Brantford Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation — as an alternative to the Lorne Bridge, which is primarily for vehicular traffic.
First constructed in 1875 for train traffic, the original crossing was replaced in 1913 with the current structure.
In 1996, it was then converted from a railway to a pedestrian and cyclist bridge. However, an ice jam in February 2018 forced the bridge to be temporarily closed and then reopened in December 2021 following minor rehabilitation work.
Now that the project has been approved, staff will develop an RFP that will go to tender in the coming months.
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