Aldershot pedestrians and cyclists may be able to cross the Valley Inn Bridge by the end of this year. The City of Hamilton has decided to replace the existing unsafe structure with a new bridge.
Following a Municipal Class B Environmental Assessment, which ruled out other options such as doing nothing, or repairing or eliminating the bridge completely, the city decided recently to replace the structure with a new bridge. It will serve pedestrians and cyclists. No cars will be allowed. Construction is expected to begin in the fall and take about three months.
Hamilton initiated the environmental assessment after the Patrick J. McNally Charitable Foundation offered to pay the cost of fixing the bridge. According to a Hamilton Spectator story, the foundation’s generosity was triggered earlier this year when it saw a news item about the unsafe bridge. This is not the first time the McNally Foundation has benefited Aldershot residents. Several years ago, the McNally Foundation paid to bring a water line and children’s sprinkler to the Bolus Gardens Park.
“Generally, the existing abutments will be left in place and new abutments will be built behind the structure. The new bridge will be constructed in sections off-site and a crane will be used to lift the bridge pieces into position. The [new] crossing will incorporate design elements of the existing bridge,” according to the Hamilton staff report.
The bridge, over Carroll’s Bay Marsh, is a historic connection between the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, via Aldershot, and provides links to the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Grindstone Creek trails. It also serves as part of the route for the Around the Bay race.
“A plaque or sign commemorating the heritage of the bridge is planned,” according to Hamilton city staff.
Originally installed in 1964, the bridge was closed to cars in 2006 and to pedestrians in 2009 for safety reasons.
