County invites stakeholder input on Flax Bridge EA

MAPLETON – The County of Wellington is inviting input from stakeholders on a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for the Flax Bridge on Wellington Road 11.

The Flax Bridge is a single-span steel pony truss structure with a concrete deck over the Conestogo River.

The bridge is located on Wellington Road 11, just south of the Wellington Road 109 intersection, at the border of Mapleton and Wellington North. The study area extends approximately one kilometre on either side of the bridge.

In a notice of the planned environmental assessment, county roads manager Joe de Koning indicates major elements of the Flax Bridge (No. B011025) “were found to be in an advanced state of deterioration and are approaching the end of their useful service life.”

The assessment, to be conducted by WSP Canada will evaluate options and identify the preferred solution for removal, rehabilitation or replacement of the bridge structure, the notice states.

The county notes a key component of the study will be consultation with interested stakeholders including public, agencies and Indigenous communities.

“We want to ensure that anyone with an interest in this study has the opportunity to provide input and feedback,” officials state.

Project updates will be posted on the Wellington County website www.wellington.ca and anyone interested is  invited to provide input to project team members: de Koning at joedk@wellington.ca (519-837-2601 ext. 2270) or consulting engineer Jamie Yeung at Jamie.yeung@wsp.com (289-835-2637).