Temporary bridge over Beaver River set to open in Beaverton

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

BROCK: Commuters in Beaverton will soon enjoy smoother travel, using the temporary bridge over the Beaver River, on Regional Road 15, just west of Highway 12, after a nearly year-long closure.

The bridge, scheduled to open on Friday, November 15th, marks an essential step in the larger project, to fully replace the aging Beaver River Bridge by 2027.

After an expedited approval process, construction on the temporary bridge, began at the site on July 8th. Since then, the old bridge has been removed, and the temporary structure is now nearly ready to accommodate traffic. Approach roadworks are still being completed, to ensure a smooth transition for vehicles.

Brock Regional Councillor, Mike Jubb expressed his support for the project and its importance to the community. “This temporary bridge is an essential piece in keeping our community connected, while the Region works on a long-term solution. It’s encouraging to see the progress made, and we appreciate everyone’s patience with the ongoing work,” he said.

The temporary bridge, designed to support full traffic loads, will follow weight and dimension limits, as outlined in Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and regulated by the Ministry of Transportation. However, commercial vehicles carrying loads which exceed standard limits will still need to obtain the Region’s Oversize/Overweight Load Permits, a requirement similar to other roads across the province.

Looking ahead, the temporary bridge will enable the construction of the permanent bridge in stages. First, the northern portion of the permanent structure will be built, while traffic continues to flow over the temporary bridge. Once that segment is complete, traffic will shift to the new bridge, allowing the temporary bridge to be removed and the southern portion of the permanent bridge to be constructed. This phased approach is expected to minimize the duration of road closures to short intervals, the length of which are necessary for final construction elements and traffic staging adjustments.

As a safety measure, the speed limit through the construction zone will be reduced to 40 km/h, extending eastward from the Highway 12 intersection. Once the permanent bridge is finished, in 2027, the speed limit will revert to the current 60 km/h.

Councillor Jubb emphasized the long-term benefits of the project. “Once complete, the new bridge will serve our community for decades to come, ensuring safe and reliable travel for all. We’re looking forward to a smooth, efficient transition to the new structure, by 2027,” he added.