Some of the region’s cyclists, hikers, and nature lovers are top of mind for a regional committee, which has taken the first steps in approving a new pedestrian and cycling bridge for the Guelph to Goderich Rail Trail.
The details came to the region’s Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development committee on Tuesday, Apr. 8, where a motion was brought forward to pull $1.2 million from the region’s reserve fund to aid in funding the construction of the project.
The new trestle bridge would stretch over the Conestogo River, right near Wallenstein, using pillars already found in the river, used for a previous train bridge.
“This pedestrian bridge would not only connect trail users across the river, it would help bridge the urban-to-rural divide in Ontario,” said Willow Hall, Executive Director of G2G Rail Trail Inc.
“It would draw visitors from Toronto and beyond to experience something unique; a safe, accessible journey through a working rural landscape, where people can encounter nature, agriculture, and small-town Ontario.”
On top of the $1.2 million coming from the reserve fund, which was unanimously approved by councillors, two private donors have also pledged a combined $5.5 million towards the project’s construction, which was discussed after councillors asked about the project’s total cost.
Hall added that a new bridge would likely attract more than 193,000 trips on the local trail each year, saying it could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to the local tourism sector in the process.
He pointed to the ease of access through the GO Train service, potential impacts for local B&Bs, as well as added attraction and access to local festivals, events, and other regional staples.
