Work on a pedestrian bridge over the Sydenham River in Wallaceburg may not be finished in time for the community’s largest annual event.
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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, known as WAMBO, scheduled next weekend.
“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,” he said in a recent E-mail.
Labadie said the municipality is “hopeful” the bridge will be ready in time for the festival, which runs Aug. 9 through 11.
“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 this past week were expected to focus on the lift span, electrical work and railing installations, Labadie said.
On Monday, the bridge, which appeared to be passable for pedestrians, remained fenced off as machinery and materials remained at the site.
The bridge has been closed since November 2021. An environmental study in March 2023 revealed engineers preferred to replace the main and lift spans of the bridge and fix up the rest of the bridge.
Site preparation began Jan. 8. In February, the municipality announced installation of the bridge materials were 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 Friday, Aug. 9 and Leave Those Kids Alone and Bayou Country (Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute) on Saturday, 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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