NOTICE: Public Information Meeting for Durham Street Bridge in Walkerton

Please take notice that there will be a Public Information Meeting about the Durham Street Bridge in Walkerton on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Walkerton District Knights of Columbus Hall (Main Hall located at #1658 Highway 9, RR5, Mildmay, ON). An Open House will begin at 7:00 PM with a Formal Presentation beginning at 7:30 PM.

A Public Information Meeting is being organized by the County to update residents on the current status of the project. The meeting will provide details related to the proposed bridge reinforcement/rehabilitation work, including construction details, timing and traffic restrictions during construction. A Class EA update will also be provided, including a timeline for completion of the EA and finalization of the Class EA process.

THE PROJECT 
The County of Bruce initiated a Class Environmental Assessment process in 2021 to address deficiencies present in the Durham Street Bridge which spans the Saugeen River along Bruce Road 4 in the community of Walkerton, Ontario (as shown on the accompanying key plan). Recent evaluations of the structure have clarified the extent of deterioration present within the structure. Based upon this new information, the County is considering reinforcement/rehabilitation of the crossing to address the deficiencies, rather than replacement. The work would be undertaken in 2024/25 with signalized lane restrictions that would allow a single lane of traffic to cross the bridge during completion of the repairs.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS: 
The planning for this project is following the environmental planning and design process set out for Schedule ‘C’ activities under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process, which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of the Class EA process is to identify any potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed works and to plan for appropriate mitigation of any identified impacts. This process includes consultation with the general public, government review agencies, indigenous communities and affected property owners.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: 
Following the May 1, 2024 meeting, input into this project will be accepted until May 19, 2024. Any comments collected in conjunction with this Class EA process will be maintained on file for use during the project and may be included in project documentation. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Contacts for the project are listed below.

Ryan Errington, Engineering Manager 
Transportation & Environmental Services
Corporation of the County of Bruce 
Phone: 519-881-2400
Email: rerrington@brucecounty.on.ca

Kelly Vader, RPP 
Senior Environmental Planner 
B.M. Ross & Associates Ltd. 
Phone: 519-524-2641 x-229 
Email: kvader@bmross.net

Additional Project Information can be found on the Bruce County Website at www.brucecounty.on.ca/WalkertonBridge