New Forks Road Bridge Opens Friday, August 16

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“More than just a crossing…”: Campion

View of the bridge./Drone photo courtesy Anthony Gallaccio

WELLAND – The City of Welland is pleased to announce the opening of the new Forks Road bridge. This milestone reconnects the Dain City community with the rest of Welland, completing a significant project that enhances transportation and supports economic growth.

The new Forks Road bridge will open to the public on Friday, August 16; it was constructed to replace the original structure that was closed in 2019 due to safety concerns.

“The Forks Road bridge is more than just a crossing; it’s an important connection point for Dain City residents and will support the continued growth and prosperity of our community,” said Mayor Frank Campion. “We are grateful to our funding partners and the efforts of our City staff and contractors who have worked diligently to bring this project to fruition.”

This $13.6 million project was funded by combined financial support from multiple levels of government. In addition to the City’s capital funding, provincial and federal funds were received through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: Rural & Northern Stream. A balance of the bridge was also funded by Empire Communities, a prominent developer in the community. These investments underscore the importance of the bridge in supporting local development and connectivity.

Highlighting the project as an infrastructure investment, Sherri-Marie Millar, director, infrastructure services/city engineer, said, “The Forks Road Bridge is a critical asset for the City of Welland. It is designed with both functionality and safety at the forefront. We are proud to deliver a structure that meets the highest standards of engineering excellence.”

Featuring modern design elements and improved safety measures, the new bridge will be an efficient route for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. It will alleviate traffic congestion and enhance access to local businesses, schools, and amenities.

To celebrate the bridge reopening, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with City officials and project partners is scheduled for Friday, August 23 at 10 a.m.

Attribution: City of Welland media release

Editor’s note: An incorrect date was provided in the original post for the official ribbon cutting. The correct date is provided in this post. My apologies to readers.

Heritage Lives: Memories Of The Main Street Bridge

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CAPTIONS: Left, top, Waiting for the Main Street Bridge circa 1960; centre, Panoramic view of Welland’s bridges, 1966; bottom, Assessing damage to the bridge after 1966 collision; Right, from the closing ceremonies, December 1972. Source of photos: Celebrating 150 Years, Walking through Welland

By Terry Hughes

Our first photo was typical for all of us who were encountering the bridge so often in our daily lives. It was taken by the late Bob Chambers while working for The Tribune.  For those who missed out on this experience, can you believe the lineups waiting for the bridge were all the way back to Scholfield Avenue? This was due to the numerous cars leaving the multiple industries at the end of their shifts and trying to get home for supper. And to make matters worse the activity on the C.N. tracks with the constant interruptions added to the problem as well. In the final years of operation, the Seaway estimated that the bridges were up eight hours every day at that time.  The second photo, also by Bob shows all four bridges in motion.

The Main Street Bridge was under construction in 1929, and was numbered 13.  Unfortunately, this number would haunt this structure. When the base surrounded by a cofferdam to support the east tower collapsed, it killed three of the five men who were inside. Not long after the bridge had been in operation, the west tower showed signs of movement. Special cables had to be installed under West Main Street as anchors to halt this problem.

The growing number of cars created a need for a solution. In 1953, Welland became the first city in Canada to initiate a one-way system for its main arteries. Flashing lights on the bridge towers were installed to warn motorists that a vessel was approaching and the race to an alternative crossing was on! In 1966, the west tower was struck by the SS Lemoyne leading to damages that left the structure up for several days, third photo, until the bridge was repaired and deemed safe to operate. Obviously, traffic was in chaos for a good part of the week! 

For half of its life the bridge was painted black but then was changed to silver just before  the Seaway took over. Like all the lift bridges, all were re-cabled causing the lift span to jack up requiring ramps to reach the raised span to cross the canal.

Everyday happenings were a part of our lives back then with the bridge. In the early fifties, bicycles were the method of transportation to high school. After the bridge came down hundreds of bikers would own the span as they raced across on their way to W.H.& V S. before cars had their turn. And how about the gal who gained notoriety when her skirt got caught on the rising gate causing a good part of her leg to become exposed. The year Welland celebrated its Centennial (1958), ships passing by  – while the largest parade I could recall – would blow a salute on their whistle. Clearing the bridge of parade watchers became a problem. When the approaching ship blew its whistle for the bridge to be raised, there was no way to clear the people off the lift span so the bridgemaster took everybody up for the ride.

Welland’s CHOW was always in competition with Buffalo’s WKBW for passing on local newsworthy stories that  could earn the best story $15.20. While our station could not compete with them, they became careless when reporting the news. Apparently, someone had phoned in that the Main Street Bridge had been hit by a ship and collapsed. No one had checked the validity of the story. I was working at the Cross Street Pool and had the radio on. The bridge was still standing! 

The Main Street Bridge was operated with a flagman on each side of the bridge who warned the bridgemaster when it was safe to raise and lower the span.Sometimes pedestrians were not in any hurry to exit the bridge. On one such occasion, a lady pushing a child in a buggy was taking her time. The bridgemaster along with flagmen who were aware of this caper started the bridge upward about three feet. The lady screamed and ran. They lowered the bridge and she made a quick exit!  

Crossing the bridge could be risky! Pigeons inhabited the many openings found in the girders and would dump their leavings on people walking below. I had a near miss but my friend was not so lucky staining his coat.  For the criminal element crossing the canal here in Welland could be a problem. While walking home late at night from my girlfriend’s home, I encountered the Main Street Bridge in an up position and waited for the ship to pass by but there was no ship! Looking down the canal all the bridges were up without a vessel to be seen. Apparently, whenever a crime was committed, the Seaway had an arrangement to lift all the bridges for the police to make it easy to apprehend those folks.

For many of us who were late getting to school or work, “The bridge was up “ was echoed many times. That ended in December of 1972 when the crowd of thousands sang “Welland Bridge Is Coming Down.” And what kind of encounters did you have with the bridge?

Next Column: ARE WE PUTTING THE CANAL LANDS TO GOOD USE AS WAS  ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR THE PEOPLE OF WELLAND?

(Terry  Hughes is a Wellander who is passionate about heritage, history and model railroading. His opinion column, Heritage Lives, appears on the blog once or twice monthly.)

CITY BRIEF: Cooling Centres Open

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WELLAND – Hey, it’s a hot one out there! If you need temporary relief from the heat, pop into any of our designated cooling centres.

These locations are open during regular hours of operation:

– Welland Community Centre (atrium) – 145 Lincoln St. (Mon. to Fri., 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.)

– Welland Main Arena (second floor community room) – 501 King St.

– Welland Main Library (common area) – 60 East Main St. (Mon. to Thur., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m. – 6 pm; Sat. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Attribution: City release