Frederick Street Bridge set to be demolished in December: MTO

A major construction project, set to get underway in Kitchener next month, could lead to some significant delays for commuters, but also some progression on the construction of the new Highway 7.

Plans to demolish the Frederick Street Bridge have been in the works for years as the development plays a pivotal role in the new connection between Kitchener and Guelph, which was approved in 2007.

According to the Ministry of Transportation, the demolition of the bridge could go ahead on Dec. 6, pending weather and last-minute changes to construction schedules. The demolition could lead to a full-day or overnight closure of Highway 7/85 at the Frederick Street ramps, as well as a closure of Frederick Street itself.

The project will lead to long-term lane closures on Highway 7/85 and a local traffic detour on Frederick Street.

The Ministry of Transportation added that work has already begun on-site on Frederick Street and Highway 7/85 to prepare for the bridge demolition.

“The team is working to accelerate the planned schedule,” said Tanya Blazina, senior media relations with the Ministry of Transportation, in a message to 570 NewsRadio.

When completed, the new bridge will be longer, but slimmer, with two lanes of traffic and space for cyclists and pedestrians. The highway ramps at Edna Street and Bruce Street are set to be re-aligned to aid in the construction of the new Highway 7.

The Highway 7 project was approved back in 2007, but the provincial government provided an update last month, declaring that it had received a number of required permits from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to proceed with planning and tree clearing.

The billion-dollar project has no timeline for completion, but will require a number of bridges to be built along the way, including a new bridge connection over the Grand River.