Connecting communities: Beaver River Bridge now open to traffic

Whitby, Ontario – The Beaver River Bridge east of Beaverton is now open to traffic. The Regional Municipality of Durham, with support from the Township of Brock and funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, has installed a temporary replacement for the Beaver River Bridge that will remain in place until the permanent replacement structure is constructed.

When the Beaver River Bridge was closed November 16, 2023, the Beaver River Bridge Replacement Project was identified as a priority by the Township of Brock and Regional Council due to the importance of the bridge for the community. The Region employed a modular bridge system to accelerate restoring this important link. The bridge helps residents and the local economy by providing access to Beaverton’s downtown area and local businesses, as well as being utilized by emergency vehicles.

The Beaver River Bridge connects Regional Road 15 over the Beaver River in the Township of Brock. The temporary bridge has the capacity to support full traffic loads. The structure has been placed with the plan to construct the north portion of the permanent bridge while traffic remains on the temporary structure. Traffic will then be moved to the permanent bridge and the temporary structure will be removed, allowing for the remainder of the permanent bridge to be constructed.

The completion date of the permanent bridge is anticipated to be in 2027. Funding for both the temporary and permanent structures is being provided by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The Region wishes to thank our partners on this temporary bridge project, Algonquin Bridge and Elirpa Construction & Materials Limited, for their dedication to this accelerated solution for the community. We also appreciate the timely relocation work of Hydro One, and expedited approvals from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

For more information and regular updates on the project, please visit durham.ca/BeaverRiverBridge.

Quotes:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the local community for their patience and understanding during the closure of the Beaver River Bridge. Thank you to the Province of Ontario for their investment in a structure that is so important to the community. The support received from the Township of Brock has also been instrumental in moving this project forward as quickly as possible to restore easy access to downtown businesses.”

- John Henry, Regional Chair and CEO, Region of Durham

“The provincial government is investing up to $16.6 million to cover costs associated with both the temporary and replacement of the Beaver River Bridge. That is why we are supporting this critical infrastructure which will aide our local emergency services, making it easier to get to those in need of their services and it will bring people back to downtown Beaverton.”

- Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock

“The re-opening of the Beaver River Bridge is an exciting milestone for the residents of Beaverton. This temporary bridge is a lifeline for our community, reconnecting us and bringing many visitors back to our downtown businesses. I extend thanks to the Region of Durham and the Ministry of Transportation for their unwavering support for this project.”

- Township of Brock Mayor Walter Schummer

“The quick construction of the temporary Beaver River Bridge shows what can be done when we work together. With help from multiple levels of government, the bridge will reconnect Beaverton, support local businesses, and keep residents safe.”

- Township of Uxbridge Mayor Dave Barton, Chair of Works Committee

Quick facts: 

• The temporary bridge concept consists of a pre-engineered modular bridge system. These portable, prefabricated, truss bridges are commonly used for permanent or temporary applications such as staging during bridge replacements or, as in this case, emergency rental bridges.
• To construct the temporary bridge, the existing bridge was entirely removed utilizing interlocking floating barges in the river, and temporary foundations were built.
• Lane shifts will be required until the permanent bridge is completed. During this time, a 40 km/h posted speed limit will be in place through the bridge site and to the east of the Highway 12 intersection. Drivers are asked to exercise caution and comply with the posted speed limit. The speed limit will return to 60 km/h once the permanent bridge project has been completed.

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