‘People love this bridge’: Historic pedestrian bridge reopens to the public

The Menesetung Bridge has reopened after undergoing structural restoration. CTV London's Scott Miller explains.

The spectacular views of the Maitland River in Goderich you can only get from the Menesetung Bridge are once again available to the public.

“When we started, I don’t think we really understood the scope of this project and how time consuming it would be, but wow, are we happy to have this open now,” said Marian Lane, member of the volunteer driven Menesetung Bridge Association.

The final construction fencing came down Wednesday, bringing to an end an eight-month construction project that started April 22 and saw four gigantic concrete piers that support the 250-tonne former rail bridge restored and refurbished.

A 2020 engineering report found potentially serious structural issues, that needed immediate attention. But, simply getting equipment and workers to the 750-foot-long bridge, to do the precarious and precise work, was a challenge.

“I think one of the main things was access. When we looked at it over a year ago, that was kind of the main question is, getting equipment out here. It’s quite a distance from the road. So, we made use of some specialized equipment to help with that. And I think everything worked well,” said Ryley Looby, of Strat-Con Construction and Crane Rental.

The Menesetung Bridge was a train bridge from 1907 to 1988 and was saved from the wrecking ball by a group of volunteers who turned it into a walking bridge in 1992. This was the first major construction project to extend the life of the bridge since then.

“It’s an old, old structure. We have gotten all the critical things done now. So, that should make it safe for a very long time,” said Lane.

One might wonder who’s going to be excited about the reopening of a pedestrian bridge in Huron County in the middle of December, but Lane said people have been bugging her for months to find out when opening day would be.

“People don’t just support this bridge. They love this bridge in this community. And to hear from folks that use it to walk to work, to cycle, they’re so excited to get back to their day-to-day routine with the bridge,” said Donna Appavoo, volunteer with the Menesetung Bridge Association.

The final price tag for the Menesetung bridge repairs was $1.1 million, said Appavoo. Much more than the original budget of $700,000, and the work took three months longer than expected, too, so it cost more and took longer than anyone thought. But it had to be done and now it’s open for everyone to use again, bridge volunteers confirmed.

“It goes on for all the seasons. So, we’ve got skiers and snowmobilers going out onto the other side of the bridge into the country. We’re part of a national trail system, which is really something. You can hop on the trail, and with a little patience and endurance, you go anywhere in Canada on a trail system,” said Menesetung Bridge Association volunteer, John Smallwood.

Lane said now that this big project is complete, the fundraising turns towards replenishing the volunteer group’s contingency fund, for the inevitable next round of repairs for the 118-year-old piece of Canadian history.

“The communities have come together and given us this gift of this bridge being safe again, for everyone,” said Lane.

A grand opening ribbon cutting for the Menesetung Bridge on North Harbour Road will take place on Saturday.