About the project
Old Fort Overhead Bridge was originally built in 1978 and carries Old Fort Road (Simcoe County Road 58) over the abandoned CN Railway track approximately 300m south of Highway 12 in the Township of Tay. The abandoned CN Railway track has been converted to the Trans Canada Trail (also known as the Tay Shore Trail at this location).
The existing bridge is a three-span (13.6m – 13.7m – 12.1m) concrete slab-girder supported by concrete piers and abutments. The clear width of the existing bridge between barrier wall faces is 9.2 metres or 4.6 metres each direction of traffic and does not meet the current standards for County Roads.
The existing bridge exhibits deterioration of components beyond the point of repair and was determined that a replacement of the structure is the most efficient solution. Three replacement alternatives were considered during the municipal class Environmental Assessment (EA): 1. Single span bridge 2. Tunnel structure 3. At-grade crossing. Through EA process alternative 1 replacement with a single span bridge was identified as the preferred alternative considering roadway geometrics, safety of motorists and pedestrians, impacts to existing infrastructures, impacts to natural environment, social and cultural impact and constructability.
The new structure will be a 30 metre long single span concrete slab on steel girders bridge. The new bridge will be wider than existing bridge and will accommodate two 3.5 metre lanes and 1.5 metre shoulder. The road profile at the bridge will be lowered as the vertical clearance required for a train passage is no longer required.
Timelines (subject to change as project proceeds)
Construction will begin in March 2023 and continue until December 2023.
Reports
Old Fort Rd Bridge Notice Study Completion
Impacts to drivers and neighbours - UPDATED June 12, 2023
Tay Shore (Trans-Canada) Trail will be closed daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for bridge demolition starting June 14 to June 23. The Trail will reopen from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. and remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.
County Road 58 will be closed to through traffic and a detour route is established around the construction site: Elliot Sideroad – Rumney Road – Highway 12. Local access will be maintained.
Please be safe and use caution when driving near the construction zone.
County's Commitment and Experience
The County of Simcoe continues to invest in keep the infrastructure in a state of good repair.
We appreciate the public's patience as we ensure that work on this significant improvement is being completed safely and properly and according to the County's requirements
Project Contact
Jae Park
Project Engineer
County of Simcoe
Jae.Park@simcoe.ca
705.735.6901 ext. 1166
