L.O. Stonehouse Pedestrian Bridge, downtown Wallaceburg. Photo credit: Robyn Brady.

The ongoing saga of the L.O. Stonehouse Memorial Walking Bridge in Wallaceburg has taken another step forward.

During Monday night’s meeting, Chatham-Kent Council approved a $2.3 million tender for the rehabilitation of the walking bridge. Hamilton-based Dayson Industrial Services will complete the work.

In addition, council approved another $114,695 in consulting engineering fees, which will be paid to Dillon Consulting.

The downtown Wallaceburg bridge, originally built in 1910 and converted to a pedestrian crossing in 1983, has been shut down since November 2021 due to safety concerns.

It’s expected that the bridge will reopen for pedestrian use by May 2024.

The cost of the project will be funded through the municipality’s Bridge Lifecycle Reserve.