Welland in the News

Construction of new Forks Road Bridge to begin this fall

January 13, 2022

Construction of new Forks Road Bridge to begin this fall

image of Dain City Bridge

Dedicated bicycle lanes, a concrete sidewalk, street lighting and 3.375-metre wide travel lanes are some of the features to be found on a new Forks Road Bridge. Construction of the span over the former Welland Canal in Dain City is expected to get underway this fall. DAVE JOHNSON / TORSTAR

Dedicated bicycle lanes, a concrete sidewalk, street lighting and 3.375-metre-wide travel lanes are some of the features to be found on a new Forks Road Bridge.

“Originally proposed as a single span structure, the designers (WSP Canada Inc.) have since recommended a change to a three-span bridge, expected to be the most cost-effective alternative,” said Sherri-Marie Millar, Welland’s infrastructure services director.

Millar said a final design is expected by mid-April.

“We’re anticipating a fall 2022 start with construction to last 18 to 24 months.”

The previous Forks Road Bridge stood for 88 years but was demolished in 2019 after being declared unsafe for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in 2018.

Some 3,500 vehicles a day crossed the one-time lift bridge over the former Welland Canal, now the recreational canal.

It was one of two ways in and out of Dain City. The only access now to the southernmost part of Welland is via Canal Bank Street. Emergency vehicles have access to a service road alongside the working Welland Canal owned by St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp.

Millar spoke about the new bridge Monday during an online meeting with Dain City residents. Mayor Frank Campion, Ward 6 Couns. Bonnie Fokkens and Jim Larouche and chief administrative officer Steve Zorbas also participated.

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