A bridge rehabilitation project here will utilize Texas-style parapet to match other urban bridges in Wellington.
County council on Sept. 24 approved a recommendation to utilize the styling on all urban bridge projects in the county, including one in Drayton.
In 2004 the Irvine River Bridge on David Street in Elora was replaced and the 1867 constructed pier was rehabilitated to carry the new bridge deck.
As a part of the replacement and rehabilitation the new parapet wall on the bridge was designed to have the look and feel of the original 1867 pier, states a report from county engineer Gord Ough.
Prior to the replacement of the Tower Street Bridge in Fergus in 2014, county staff asked members of Centre Wellington council what they would like for the parapet wall on the bridge and determined the Texas-style railing was the preferred option.
The railing had the look and feel council thought appropriate for their community and it would link the communities of Elora and Fergus as the two bridges would share a common feature.
Preferred option
The county is in the process of rehabilitating another urban bridge in the Village of Drayton.
Again members of the local council were asked which type of parapet wall they would like on the rehabilitated bridge and the Texas-style railing was the preferred option.
“Staff are recommending that when urban bridges (13 or 14 of 106 total bridges) in the future require replacement or rehabilitation that the Texas-style open railing be the preferred choice for the parapet wall,” states the report.
“Utilizing the same parapet wall for all urban bridges will create a feature that is distinct to Wellington County and link communities of Wellington together as they will have a common feature.”
The report notes the additional cost for the railing is estimated at $350/lineal metre.
