- A nature trail for pleasure walkers, joggers, hikers & bird-watchers. Accessible for baby strollers, motorized scooters and wheelchairs. The trail is a photographer's paradise, from the Mill Pond through to the woodlands and the West Perth Wetlands.
[Home] [Orient Yourself] [Trail Features] [Timelines] [Guestbook] [Human Elements] [Links]
Mitchell Advocate – Wednesday, June 4, 2003
By Andy Bader
|
| JUST LIKE LEADING A HORSE TO WATER George Lannin of W.G. Kelly Construction, of
Mitchell, appears as though he is pulling this seven-ton bridge, all
85-feet of it, to its resting place last Thursday morning, as the West
Perth Thames Nature Trail footbridge was installed. "It’s just like
leading a horse to water," Lannin quipped, as the overhead crane merely
lifted the self-weathering steel bridge into place in a matter of minutes. Andy Bader photo |
|
Mitchell Advocate — For some members of the Bridge Committee of the West Perth Energy & Environment Committee, last Thursday morning was like a wedding - the anticipation of seeing a big plan finally come to fruition.
The 85-foot, seven ton foot bridge was lifted into place along the Thames River, linking the West Perth Thames Nature Trail and completing a dream for a lot of people.
"I think it’s great," said Patty Kehl, committee co-chair. "It’s what we wanted, and I’ve heard a lot of positive comments about and seen a lot of people using it."
The bridge arrived in Mitchell May 23, and after the wood decking was put in place, was lifted into place by Canadian Crane Rentals of Wingham, co-ordinated by W.G. Kelly Construction, of Mitchell, last Thursday morning. It took just a matter of minutes to put it in place, as the crane simply swung it around a huge tree and lined it up with the footings.
The bridge connects 3.5 km of trail along the Thames River, including a wheelchair accessible north section and a more natural rugged southern section. Finishing touches still need to be put in place, but a hard surface will eventually make the trail and the bridge cohesive, making the approach accessible to all. Kehl also said a little bit of grading work needs to be done at its south side.
A door frame portal at each end of the bridge is necessary in case it ever needs to be lifted to ease ice jams or other needs. The footings for the bridge were installed in the spring of 2002.
The bridge is constructed with self-weathering steel, a specially formulated material that forms a dense protective oxide on the surface. It naturally weathers to a rich deep dark brown colour that requires no maintenance. This rustic look is preferred for hike and bike trails and blends with the environment.
A cedar rail will be installed on the sides of the bridge, and the plaques, acknowledging donations to the bridge, will be installed on the rails.
There is still time to have your plaque on the bridge because donations to pay for the bridge are still needed. The amount raised to date is now up to $32,000, just $6,000 short of the total amount needed. Donation forms are available at many local businesses, the municipal office or online at www.westperth.com and click on the trail logo. Small plaques, of which more than 110 have been sold, will continue to be placed on the bridge as donations come in, not including the larger plaques for the major donors which will be recognized in a different way.
Patty Kehl and Sebastian Scala are co-chairs of the Bridge Committee, with Pete Huitema, Gerry Kehl, Trish Nahrgang and Bert Vorstenbosch other members.
[Home] [Orient Yourself] [Trail Features] [Timelines] [Human Elements] [Links]