A critical phase in the restoration of the historic West Montrose Covered Bridge is underway, with crews carefully lifting the 145-year-old structure to allow for necessary repairs. “This is the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario, and it was built in 1881. It’s a designated heritage property,” said Michelle Pinto, a senior engineer with the Region of Waterloo. Crews are raising the bridge millimetre by millimetre, with the structure supported by a temporary platform that essentially acts as a bridge within a bridge. The additional height was required after structural engineers determined the bridge needed greater protection from flooding. “We mandated that the contractor further lift the bridge, including the temporary platform, so that it was clear of the 1 in 50 year floodplain,” said Andrew Lehan, an associate with Entuitive. Restoration work has also uncovered some unexpected challenges, including undocumented repairs and weakened wood. “We came to realize that the bottom cords of the bridge, in particular, were decayed,” Lehan said. The project is focused on preserving as much of the original structure as possible rather than simply replacing old materials with new ones. “We will be removing the existing steel Bailey truss that was installed in the 1960s and strengthening the wooden truss that is original to the bridge,” Pinto said. In the last several decades, steel has typically replaced steel. “Not here. We’ve gone the other way — wood is going to replace steel,” Lehan said. The roof and siding will also be replaced, with crews carefully matching the colours and appearance of the original structure. New timeline The delicate work is taking longer than initially expected. The Region of Waterloo now anticipates the bridge will reopen in spring 2027, rather than the previous target of December 2026. Pinto said the schedule reflects the need to proceed carefully while protecting the bridge’s heritage features. “And we need to proceed methodically to make sure we are preserving the heritage elements of the bridge,” she said. The restoration is expected to cost approximately $12 million.
