A high-traffic pedestrian bridge inside Owen Sound’s Harrison Park needs significant repairs, or replacement.
The city’s community services committee were told during their meeting Wednesday the arched bridge — known as the Rainbow Bridge — spanning the stream near a path to the main entry area of the park has significant damage to the steel structure.
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says an engineering consultant recommends two options: a $413,000 repair job or a $680,000 bridge replacement. The estimated lifespan of the bridge after repairs would be 40-50 years, while an entirely new structure could last up to 75 years.
The Rainbow Bridge is a key link in the park, connecting the pedestrian pathway from the entrance to the central park and playground areas. The bridge was installed in 2008, and spans nearly 50-feet across a stream that connects to the Sydenham River.
“There’s about 150,000 pedestrians that use that trail each year. And we do winter maintenance on that trail,” Coulter says. “The Rainbow Bridge is that critical access into the park.”
Coulter says an engineering consultant assessed the bridge this year and discovered “notable deterioration in the structural steel components of the bridge.” It’s believed water penetrated the hollow steel structure, leading to significant deterioration during freeze-thaw cycles.
The engineering consultant advised staff the bridge remains safe for pedestrian use, but city maintenance vehicles that occasionally use the structure are no longer able to.
The community services committee received the report for information, but have not yet discussed a preferred rehabilitation option to recommend to council.
Coulter tells the committee staff have not yet fully reviewed the proposed alternatives, and potential funding options.
“Our goal would be to look at these, and potentially some other options,” Coulter explains. “And in the interim develop a plan for winter snow removal, because we can’t drive equipment over it.”
City staff are expected to report back to the community services committee with more information in September.
Photo of damaged bridge structure. (image from council files)