London, Ont. looks to stretch another 50 years out of bridge to the downtown
Time and the elements have taken their toll on the Kensington Bridge that carries cars, bikes, and pedestrians eastbound from Riverside Drive to Dundas Place.
Built in 1930, the heritage structure carries about 9,500 vehicles each day and serves as a vital ink to the core, according to downtown Coun. David Ferreira.
“That’s a lot of people commuting in and out of the downtown, whether it’s for work, or whether it’s to visit,” Ferreira explained.
Ongoing repairs and interim fixes will end when the city finalizes its plan for a long-term solution.
An environmental assessment (EA) has considered four options:
- Do nothing and continue ongoing maintenance
- Build a new bridge on the site of the existing bridge
- Build a new bridge next to the existing bridge
- Undertake an extensive repair and restoration
Rusting components are seen beneath the Kensington Bridge in London, Ont. on Feb. 8, 2023. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)
City engineers recommend the fourth option, an extensive overhaul that will include a two-directional cycle track, new pedestrian railing and two eastbound vehicle lanes.
The design also aims to respect the heritage of the bridge.
A presentation to the Community Advisory Committee on Planning reads, “To address ongoing maintenance issues with the bridge and achieve an additional service life objective of 50 years, complete concrete deck replacement, steel recoating and other major repairs are required.”
First the bridge’s neighbouring span, the westbound Queens Avenue Bridge, must undergo work to prepare for its role in the project.
The proposed design of the Kensington Bridge in London, Ont. after restoration. (Source: City of London)
The city must ensure the Queens Avenue Bridge can handle additional traffic when it serves as a detour route during restoration of the Kensington Bridge.
“That [work] is going to be happening before the Kensington Bridge,” explained Ferreira. “I believe that’s in 2025 or 2026.”
A public information meeting will be held by the city on March 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.