County Road 58 Old Fort Overhead Bridge Replacement
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)
Old Fort Road (County Road 58) will be closed to traffic beginning on May 6, 2024 and will continue until June 3, 2024 to complete the bridge replacement project including final grading, paving, and landscaping.
Impacts to drivers and neighbours
During this time the bridge will be temporarily closed to traffic. Alexman Contracting Inc. will schedule work to keep road closure duration to a minimum. Local traffic to homes and properties will be maintained throughout construction period.
All other traffic will be detoured around the area via Elliot Side Road (see Detour Route below).
Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
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