(My personal description of
some steps involved in constructing the first pedestrian bridge over
highway 401)
As a background to this local pedestrian bridge page,
follow this link to view my photo collection of pedestrian - cycle bridges.
In no small way, a North Dakota bridge design
convinced me that if the political will was present, then pedestrian and cyclist
needs could be met. If such a state with such a small population could create
such functional facilities, then why not here in Cambridge?
The planning process for the
new highway 401 pedestrian bridge stretched over many years. For those of you who understand
municipal government, consider the task of steering a project through committees
representing 3 municipal Councils and a provincial transportation
ministry. But after our work with the Trans Canada Trail
Relay 2000, we were absolutely convinced a ped bridge was necessary.
Then in the spring of 2005, the bridge design was labelled a butt-ugly
structure. A Regional Councillor stated that that " a
banner could be hung to alert passing drivers to the province of Ontario's
largest chicken coop." (The Record, Jan. 20, 2005) Highway 401 is the most
important and busiest highway in Canada. A Ministry of Transportation official
stated that 50,000 vehicles per day will pass under the bridge, thus the
structure must be enclosed.
The budget for the project was set at $1,300,000: Cambridge, Kitchener and the Region
sharing the cost. So in fact, this was never a Regional project. In fact, the
Region clearly rejected a request to make the bridge their financial
responsibility. So I have trouble understanding why negative comments were fed to
the newspaper about the project. After years of lobbying, my attitude was just build the damn bridge, and deal with
fiscal reality! Cambridge Trails stripped its budget for 3 years to supply the
Cambridge share for this project. Sure, a we would like 'pretty', but we want
safety for the cheapest price.
In late May 2005 the Region of
Waterloo sponsored a 'design charette' "to solicit ideas from the participants regarding aesthetic
enhancements to the bridge enclosure." In simply terms the charette was held to
remedy the chicken coop design, although the funding designated to the enclosure remained
fixed at about $180,000. Hard to not imagine a cost increase with the result
that an enhanced design would not fit
within the original budget limits! But, politics is planning and
planning is politics.
Sept. 27, 2005 The proposed bridge as shown below left has now been tendered and the project cost obviously increased. When the butt-ugly problem erupted, I predicted cost increases. And the "aesthetically pleasing enclosure" helped to push the project cost $585,000 over budget. It amazed me that experts would alter a simple and functional design with add-ons and not assume that the cost would increase. Talk about an 'ivory tower' approach. But, then I am not an expert. This aesthetic additions clearly contributed to project delays.
proposed bridge illustration (below left) Nov. 1/06 photo of bridge construction
Photo on right was taken on Nov.
3/06 and shows progress of the bridge construction. This is a view from the Cambridge side of 401 looking northwards to Kitchener.
Centre support is up, retaining wall on north side is complete and working on
south side wall.
GPS location:
N43 23.521 W80 23.382
October 2006 We expected an early completion date of October
2006 but was delayed until mid 2007! No crossing until 2007 thanks in large measure to
design issues.
YAHOO!!! The first two beams being installed early in the morning on November 23,
2006.
This view is north across highway 401 towards Kitchener. Later that
night, the final two beams were placed by the crane.
Well, it happened again .... the pedestrian bridge opening was delayed from September until October 14 2007 ... thus it will not be open for summer use, despite earlier statements. The delay is likely another result of Regional Council's decision to design and build a pedestrian bridge with aesthetic enhancements to the bridge enclosure . Not only has this "pretty" bridge cost $450,000 over the original budge, the opening has been delayed a year.. The above diagram (right) outlines what pedestrians and cyclists will experience .... a cage-like tunnel of metal support tubes and beams. Lovely, just lovely. Sure hope that the highway users enjoy their aesthetic experience!
above :
June 11/07 our 401 ped bridge
On Friday August 10/07 the first
four supports of the enhanced bridge canopy were put in place.
and finally a 6+ year dream comes true. The official bridge opening on
October
21, 2007.
We also have a new Trans Canada
Trail trailhead featuring maps, benches and a parking lot -located at
the newly constructed Blair Rd./Fountain Street traffic circle.
N43 23.168 W80 23.382 LOOK
FOR NEW map signage ...... blue tube frame
To reach the new ped bridge, proceed north along Morningside Drive for about .8 km.
But remember, this is the first
pedestrian/cycle bridged constructed over highway 401. but it should not be the
last. Cambridge desperately needs another ped bridge just east of highway 24
.... to reduce the problems created by the poorly designed
Franklin Road bridge