Brant’s Crossing Bridge Replacement

Background

The Brant’s Crossing Bridge spans over the Grand River and is located on the Dyke Trail, a multi-use trail that connects Fordview Park and Brant’s Crossing Park.

Project Area

The bridge was originally constructed in 1875 for the purpose of conveying railway traffic. The original crossing was replaced in 1913 with the current structure. In 1996, the structure was converted from a railway to a pedestrian and cyclist bridge. In February 2018, following an ice jam event, the bridge was temporarily closed and later reopened in December 2021 following minor rehabilitation work.

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

In 2022, the City of Brantford completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), Schedule “C”, which recommended that Brant’s Crossing’s existing superstructure be replaced and raised. The Final Environmental Assessment Report for the Brant’s Crossing Bridge is available on the Three Grand River Crossing page.

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing bridge superstructure with one that is:

• More versatile and accessible to pedestrian and cyclist traffic through a wider deck,
• Sustainable with the materials being used,
• Safer and more resistant to flooding/ice jamming by raising the bridge 1.1 meters (min.), and
• Creates a destination in Brantford by incorporating lighting and a lookout.

Design Phase

In Fall 2023, the City of Brantford retained WSP E&I Canada Limited, a structural engineering firm, to complete the preliminary and detailed designs for the replacement of the Brant’s Crossing Bridge superstructure and the removal of the Fordview Lookout structure in Fordview Park.

In March 2024, the City hosted an in-person public consultation at City Hall providing community members with an opportunity to meet the project team, ask questions, and share feedback.

In October 2024, the detailed design of the project was completed.

The Request for Tender was posted publicly on the City of Brantford’s Bid Opportunities page and closed on November 29, 2024.

Construction Phase

The contract for the Brant’s Crossing Bridge Superstructure Replacement and Fordview Lookout Removal project was awarded to Sierra Bridge on December 13, 2024.

Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2025 and is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2025.

 During construction:

• Brant’s Crossing Bridge will be closed to the public.
• Fordview Park and parts of Brant’s Crossing Park, including adjacent trails, will also be closed.
• Detour routes will be available via public roads and the TH&B bridge, located south of Brant’s Crossing Bridge near Earl Haig Family Fun Park and Fordview Court. Signage will be installed to indicate trail and sidewalk closures.

Additional updates about the project and construction progress will be shared as they become available.

The Project Team

If you have any questions about this project, please contact us using one of the following methods:

• By Mail – please mail to City of Brantford Environmental Service Admin Building, Attn: Meagan Bergman, City of Brantford, 324 Grand River Avenue, Brantford, ON N3T 4Y8
• Phone – please contact the City at 519-759-4150 Ext. 5512
• By E-mail – please contact MBergman@brantford.ca