How long is construction of the four structures expected to last?

The duration of construction will depend on many factors. Using traditional construction methods, the replacement of all four bridges could take up to 2 to 3 years; however, during the next phase of this study, accelerated construction methods will be reviewed that could significantly reduce the traffic disruption and reduce the overall duration to as few as 3 years. In the next phase of the Class EA study, we will be identifying the preferred bridge designs, construction methods, and developing a preliminary construction staging plan all of which will give us a more definitive construction duration. Plans will continue to become more detailed through the design phase and preparation of the tender package, after the completion of the Class EA study

What will happen with traffic during construction?

The County appreciates that the bridge replacements will come with some challenges to road users, residents and business owners.  The County will consider a variety of strategies to optimize the construction staging and duration and minimize traffic impacts. For example:

• Use of a temporary bridge to keep two lanes of traffic open adjacent to the construction zone for as much of the construction period as possible. The temporary bridge can be used at multiple sites in consecutive construction seasons.
• Rapid bridge replacement’ techniques where the new bridge is constructed ‘offline’, while traffic is maintained on WR109, and then shifted into place during a short-term road closure/detour.
• Additional traffic modeling to evaluate traffic impacts including maximum allowable queues / delays. The final traffic staging would be developed in a future detailed design phase to minimize traffic disruption and limit delays during peak time

Regardless of the strategy, the County will ensure regular and timely communication with area residents and businesses through the construction period.

How much will the project cost?

Where is the money coming from?

Will the new bridges be wider than the existing?

A future road cross-section for the bridges has been proposed with 3.5 m travel lanes and 3 m shoulders. This will be confirmed in the next phase of the Class EA study.  The travel lane and shoulder width recommendations are consistent with design standards based on the posted speed, design speed and the vehicle/truck volumes.

Will Wellington County be reconstructing Wellington Road 109?

General reconstruction of Wellington Road 109 is beyond the scope of the Class EA study. The works being planned and designed in this Class EA study involve addressing the poor condition of the existing four structures with some associated road work at the bridge approaches. There are currently no other proposed projects identified within the study limits.  However, the County may undertake other improvements to WR109 in the future and the bridge replacements currently being planned do not preclude other future improvements.

For the remaining structures, at least one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times. Where traffic is one lane, travel in alternating directions will be controlled by with temporary traffic signals. The preliminary approaches with local detour/lane arrangements are reviewed in subsequent PIC 2 displays.

The traffic management plan will continue to be developed through detailed design and will be finalized by the contractor. 

Why is the WR109 intersection at Highway 6 not being addressed in this study?  

Addressing the condition of the four structures is a matter of urgency for Wellington County, not only because the bridges are nearing the end of their design life but also because the County has secured federal construction funding, to be utilized by 2025.

Broader studies to look at travel demand, traffic congestion and operations at the Highway 6 intersection and in the Arthur area generally (e.g. bypass), are more complex with greater implications to socio-economic, natural and cultural environments, and would involve MTO as a co-proponent.  Therefore, it is likely that this type of study would be on a longer timeframe.  MTO program priorities do not currently include short or long-term planning on Highway 6 at Arthur, although priorities are reviewed annually.