The township has announced the replacement of Scugog Line 4 Bridge at more than half the outlay of an earlier estimated cost of $1 million.
Installation can begin much sooner, with a forecasted date of Monday, July 28, 2025, weather permitting, said the township, against an earlier projected works beginning 2027.
The cost of the entire project is being halved from an earlier estimate of $1 million to a total of $412,435, the township said.
During this replacement work, Scugog Line 4 will see a road closure between Gray Sideroad and Marsh Hill Road.
Structures similar to the Scugog Line 4 bridge have been replaced in under two weeks, weather permitting. “While we are in hopes of a similar timeline, it is subject to change,” the township said.
Temporary Closure
A temporary closure was put in place in the last quarter of 2024 until it can be safely reopened. The closure followed a series of inspections.
During an inspection in November 2022, it was deemed that the Scugog Line 4 culvert would need to be replaced rather than repaired/rehabilitated. It was also recommended to install guardrails on the sides of the bridge for higher traffic safety. Another inspection was conducted September 29, 2024, and it was found that the condition of the culvert declined further between inspections. As a result, the temporary closure was put in place.
The township said traditionally, projects like this follow a detailed design process which includes a Schedule A Environmental Assessment followed by permit approvals. Under this process, a new culvert would cost $120,000, and overall construction would see an estimated cost of $1,000,000 and timeline beginning in 2027.
New Option
During a December 2 meeting, council approved staff’s recommendation of another solution involving a contract with Northern Mat and Bridge LP (NMP) in partnership with Lessard Welding, who have replaced many structures across Ontario.
They offer a package that includes design, fabrication, approvals, and installation of the bridge, as well as project management. Lessard Welding provides permanent modular bridges to municipalities and government organizations; modular bridges are designed for low volume roads and offer an easy install and an estimated life span over 75 years.
The scope of this project will include a low-profile steel deck bridge and asphalt surface with a new 9.3m single span, two lane 7.5m wide modular bridge, the township said.