Goderich, Ont. pedestrian bridge requires $1M in repairs
It’s one of Ontario’s most famous and most used pedestrian bridges. The Menesetung Bridge spans the Maitland River in Goderich, attracting visitors from across the province. But, as beautiful as it is, the 700-foot long structure is showing its age.
“The bridge was constructed in 1906, so that’s 115 years. The concrete has done a good job, but it doesn’t last forever. So, we’re needing to do some of these repairs so it last another 100 years,” says Grant Dawson, chair of the Menesetung Bridge Association.
The volunteer group that saved the bridge from the wrecking ball in 1990 and now owns it, needs to raise between $800,000 to $1.2 million, in order to repair the bridge’s piers within the next five years.
“The community came together 30 years ago, and I’m hoping we come together again, now, to raise the funds need to do this big job,” says Mike Dawson, who helped save the bridge in the early 90s.
Wear on the concrete base of The Menesetung Bridge in Goderich, Ont. is seen Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021. (Scott Miller / CTV News)
The bridge has never been used more, as COVID-19 inspired Ontarians to head outdoors for their exercise.
A key part of both the Maitland and Guelph to Goderich Trail, the bridge repairs will require more than just local fundraising to pay for them. Government intervention will be required.
“If they can do the heavy lifting to get the ball rolling, there’s a whole bunch of raving fans out there, in the form of trail users and community leaders, that will get behind it,” says Doug Cerson of the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail Association.
The Menesetung Bridge Association recently put in a grant application to the province’s Community Building Fund, to help pay for the repairs. They hope to hear back in a couple of months, but they don’t envision a scenario where local and provincial leaders allow the bridge to fall into 'disrepair' again.
“We can’t let it succumb to time and erosion, so yes, it’s a big investment, but it’ll keep things going for a long time,” says Dawson.
To learn more about the Menesetung Bridge and the needed repairs click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.