Construction on the pedestrian bridge over the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg may not be finished in time for the community’s largest annual event, a spokesperson with the municipality has said.
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Eric Labadie, Chatham-Kent’s corporate communications manager, said it is “difficult to confirm” if the LO Stonehouse Pedestrian Bridge will be accessible during the Wallaceburg Annual Motor and Boat Outing event, scheduled for Aug. 9-11.
“The contractor is targeting completion for early to mid-August. However, this is subject to change as it is subject to weather, as well as progress on assembly, installation and commissioning of the final spans of the bridge,” Labadie wrote in a July 30 email.
Labadie said the municipality is “hopeful” the bridge will be ready in time.
“However, the municipality is working closely with event organizers to provide updates and understands that WAMBO has plans in place in the event that work on the pedestrian bridge cannot be completed in time,” he said.
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Construction activities for the week of July 29 to Aug. 2 were expected to focus on the lift span, electrical work and railing installations, Labadie said.
The bridge has been closed since November 2021. An environmental study in March 2023 revealed engineers preferred to replace its main and lift spans and then fix up the remainder of the bridge.
Site preparation began Jan. 8. In February, the municipality announced installation of the bridge materials was expected to begin in May.
At the time, the municipality said in a news release construction was expected to finish by mid-July “ahead of WAMBO this summer.”
WAMBO showcased more than 160 cars, as well as more motorcyclesemergency vehicles and 30 to 40 boats, in Wallaceburg’s downtown last year.
Musical acts this year include Spirit of the ’60s on Aug. 9 and Leave Those Kids Alone and Bayou Country, a Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute, on Aug. 10.
The vehicles and boats will be on display Aug 10, with other activities planned. For more information, visit wambo.ca.
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