Bridge to Roos Island closed again until end of 2024

By Justine Fraser

The bridge in Victoria Park that connects to Roos Island is closed to the public again. Barricades have been set up, again, to block access.

A sign put up by the City of Kitchener Engineering Services reads that it is closed for “recoating and minor repairs of the existing steel work.”

Roos Island reopened to the public in July after the city finished up rehabilitation work on Heritage Bridge and the gazebo. It was closed for over a year due to a protest and encampment that was set up on the island. It’s now closed again until the end of the year.

Some people trying to walk through the island on Halloween were forced to take the long way around.

Long-time Kitchener resident, David King, works downtown Kitchener and often goes for walks through the park to escape the rambunctiousness of the downtown core.

“I think over the summer they put a lot of work into the area, they redid the gazebo. The bridge being closed again that did surprise me,” he said.

King added he is happy to see them keeping up repairs on the old bridge but hasn’t seen them move their construction equipment in over a week to get started.

Another person walking through the park told 570 NewsRadio she hasn’t been able to access the island whenever she comes for a stroll.

“I walked through it once, but it’s usually closed I’ve noticed,” said Vineet Kaur.

Back in June the city told 570 it had completed rehabilitation work on Heritage Bridge. The bridge is set to reopen Dec. 31, 2024.

Heritage Bridge connecting to Roos Island in Kitchener. (Justine Fraser)

The City of Kitchener did not respond to requests for comment.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today