Menesetung Bridge Assocation has concrete plans

The Menesetung Bridge is used all throughout the year, a bridge for all seasons.

According to Marian Lane, Chair of the Menesetung Bridge Association (MBA), at the bridge’s last inspection in 2020 engineers from BM Ross advised that concrete spalling was getting too close to the bearing seats at the tops of the piers.

The bearing seats support the 18-tonne steel girders.

“If these lose stability, the bridge would be closed,” admitted Lane.

“It would be very difficult to repair if we let it get to that stage.”

The MBA has applied for grants, and in August the Federal Government announced the association was eligible for $200,000 through the FedDev Ontario program.

Since then, the MBA has been approaching partners and have received commitments from the Town of Goderich, from ACW Township, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club. Generous pledges from several local citizens and businesses have also been received.

MBA is ready to hire a contractor to begin the needed work on the bridge.

“Because access to the bridge is difficult, this refurbishment work will be very expensive,” Lane noted.

“We have had fantastic community support in the past, and we will need it again if we want to get all the critical repairs done.”

According to Mike Dawson, board member with MBA, the association has projects from 2024 that need to be finished as well.

At the North Harbour Road trail entrance, landscaping is being revised, and two large signs will be installed.

“We will have a ‘Welcome to Goderich’ sign that will encourage visitors to complete the trail to the beachfront and boardwalk, or to visit the upper town and Square,” explained Dawson.

“The other sign will show connections to the trail systems, including the Maitland Trail and G2G Rail Trail.”

In other news, it was announced in 2024 that Trans Canada Trail would partner with the G2G Rail Trail. Goderich is now a trail head for this national trail system.

In 2024, Trans Canada Trail provided signs to mark the bridge as part of the trail and some financial support to undertake studies of what work is needed for the upcoming bridge repair.

“Connecting people to the outdoors and making nature more accessible is at the heart of everything we do at Trans Canada Trail,” said Mathieu Roy, CEO of Trans Canada Trail.

“We are always happy to work with partners like the Menesetung Bridge Association doing important work in their communities to connect more people with their local trails.”

With the full Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail joining the nationwide network. Trans Canada Trail look forward to seeing more people able to enjoy the beautiful trails in this region.

For more information on Menesetung Bridge Association or on how to make a donation visit: menesetungbridgeassociation.org