Guelph to Goderich trail bridge moves forward, could bring tourism boost
Posted Apr 8, 2026 04:15:55 AM.
Last Updated Apr 8, 2026 10:18:51 AM.
The plan for a new pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Conestogo River near Wallenstein is one step closer to reality.
Funding for a new bridge for the Guelph to Goderich rail trail was approved unanimously at the Region’s Sustainability, Infrastructure, and Development committee on Tuesday morning.
The region needs to provide $1.2 million in reserve funding to build the bridge. The new two-span trestle bridge would use the pillars still in the river from a former train crossing.
Willow Hall is the executive director of G2G Rail Trail Incorporated and spoke at the committee meeting, saying even just that portion of the trail where the new bridge would go gets more than 193,000 trips per year.
Hall said the economic impact of tourism on the trail, especially cycling tourism, is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, possibly into the millions.
Hall explained they know the numbers based on the cell phone data of people using the trail, and they also know most of those trail users come from Guelph or Toronto.
Hall said trail visitors will come from Toronto on a GO train, and perhaps stay in a B-and-B in Elmira, or come through St. Jacobs.
Councillors were very enthusiastic about their support for the G2G bridge, although there were questions about whether there would be more fundraising.
Two private donors alone have pledged $5.5 million for the construction of the bridge.
Regional Councillor and Mayor of North Dumfries Township, Sue Foxton, wondered if the name of the Guelph to Goderich trail could be altered to recognize how the Region of Waterloo would be putting in some funding.
