Pedestrian bridge over Grand River proposed in Cambridge
Posted May 29, 2024 06:03:10 AM.
Last Updated May 29, 2024 09:36:18 AM.
Regional Councillor Doug Craig has put forward a proposal for staff to research creating a pedestrian bridge that would connect communities in Cambridge when looking into future infrastructure projects.
“This has been an ongoing issue for 40 or 50 years — in terms of access across the river,” said Craig.
A pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Grand River in the downtown Galt area would give access to two sides of the community that are normally separated.
Craig noted there is an old CP train bridge behind Galt Collegiate Institute that is off-limits; the idea is to construct an entirely new bridge, as the one present is under the jurisdiction of the company.
While some people may walk on the bridge, Craig argued it is extremely dangerous — another reason to create a new bridge for the community.
“On one side of the river, you have people separated from River Bluffs Park and all the trail systems. On the other side of the river, you have people and students, who are separated from direct access to Galt Collegiate, for example, and the trail systems on the other side,” said Craig.
Craig guessed the pedestrian and bike-friendly bridge would need to be about 10 to 15 ft. wide. The amount it would cost would be determined by regional staff after initial research and public consultations.
“There have been adults using the bridge, on occasions, so it’s not even really a matter of just pure safety, it’s a matter of connecting. The two sides of the communities are not connected properly,” said Craig.
“Cambridge is a river city: river cities around the world have a multitude of pedestrian bridges and I think as we evolve as a community, especially in the Cambridge area, we have to look at these crossings in different parts of Cambridge also.”
Craig brought the bridge up about six months ago to council and when a pedestrian bridge over Highway 7/8 came up, Craig thought it be a good time to ask staff to look into future infrastructure projects regarding pedestrian bridges.
