WELLESLEY – A proposed pedestrian and cyclist bridge, southeast of Mapleton, is set to become part of the Guelph to Goderich (G2G) Rail Trail.
The G2G Rail Trail is a 132-kilometre multi-use trail that goes through the northern portion of Waterloo and is locally known as the Kissing Bridge Trailway.
The proposed bridge is located between Powell Road and Line 86, near the Village of Wallenstein.
The project’s purpose is to bridge a gap on the trail at the crossing of the Conestogo River in Wallenstein.
The gap was created when the original 1907 railway bridge was removed in 1990, when the railway line closed, leaving the piers and supporting structure in place.
The railway was decommissioned in 1988 by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
On Oct. 16, a public meeting was held at the Wallenstein Bible Chapel to allow for public feedback.
“I would say there was 100-plus in attendance overall for the entire night,” project head engineer Jim Ellerman told the Advertiser.
“There was a lot of passionate people out in support of the construction of the bridge.”
Currently, on Line 86 there is a two-lane vehicle roadway bridge with a one and a half metre-wide maintenance shoulder, he explained.
“It’s an available space for people to use but the volume and speed of traffic there doesn’t make it very conducive to cyclists and pedestrians,” Ellerman said.
This project is a collaboration between the Region of Waterloo, Township of Wellesley, County of Wellington, Province of Ontario and the G2G Rail Trail advisory board.
“The G2G Rail Trail committee really wanted to put a bridge over the river again as a pedestrian and cycling bridge … to enhance the user experience of the trail,” Ellerman explained.
The proposed project cost is between $7.5 and $8 million.
“There is a private donation given to the construction of the bridge and then we are also replying on provincial funding for the actual construction,” Ellerman noted.
As of now, Waterloo and Wellesley are funding the design component, with the region paying for approximately $350,000 and the township for $150,000.
“We’re scheduled for 2026 and … that’s all dependent on the provincial funding that we’ve applied for (Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund),” said Ellerman.
The preferred bridge design is a two-span bridge using the existing piers.
The existing piers the project team plans to use for the new pedestrian and cyclist bridge. Image from Waterloo Region website
Reasons for this design include:
- using the existing pier reduces cost and environmental impact;
- minimizing the construction footprint near the river;
- retaining the historical value of original rail structure; and
- making it suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and non-motorized users.
“We’d like to start in the spring so probably April, May and then hopefully conclude in September of next year,” Ellerman said.
No tender has been awarded as the project is still in the proposal stage of the design.
The proposal has not yet been brought to area councils, but Ellerman stated that should happen in early 2026.
“Once we’ve gathered all of the feedback we received from the public, we will put a report forward to regional council to recommend the construction of the bridge,” he said.
Wellesley council will also be informed, but the decision ultimately lies in the hands of regional council.
The project team encourages all to provide feedback on the project. The survey will remain open until Nov. 6 at engagewr.ca/G2G-trail-bridge.
