Centre Wellington council has approved a heritage designation of the Irvine Street bridge near Salem.
Council approved the designation of the one-lane bowstring truss bridge deemed to be of cultural heritage value at its June 2 meeting.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said council’s decision will see the bridge restored to its original state.
“We have chosen to restore and keep it in our community as a heritage component,” the mayor said. “It’s a good example of this type of architecture. It maintains the heritage of this community.”
The bridge on Irvine Street, which crosses the Irvine River just north of Woolwich Street/Sideroad 15, was built in 1929.
“Bridges represent a disappearing form of cultural heritage,” planner Mariana Iglesias Iglesias said in a report to council in April. “They symbolize the vital role rivers played in our human, agricultural and industrial development. They represent an evolution in materials and techniques.
“It is important to conserve these historic bridges, as they were constructed to be both aesthetically interesting as well as functional. Newer bridges are now typically designed to serve a utilitarian purpose with less emphasis on aesthetics and design.”
In 2011, Heritage Centre Wellington approached staff and recommended the township consider protecting some of its historic bridges.
“It was determined that the Irvine Street Bridge would be one of the best candidates for heritage protection out of the seven remaining bowstring bridges due to its condition, proximity to the Elora-Salem urban centre, and the relatively low traffic volumes and loadings, particularly for farm machinery,” Iglesias stated in her report.
Currently the structure needs repairs to the arches, railings, deck and wing walls.
Once the work is complete, it is estimated it would be 20 years before additional rehabilitation is required.
The bridge was built in 1929 and reflects the transition from horse-drawn vehicles to the new motorized age, Iglesias stated.
The estimated cost of the work is $850,000, including engineering, inspection and contingencies.
(with files from Mike Robinson)
