Another setback for crews working on the Third Street Bridge in Chatham.
A news release from the municipality this morning says pedestrian safety railings have not yet arrived on site, delaying the reopening which was slated for this Friday.
The railings, including new LED light strips, are one of the last remaining elements of the project.
Aldo Paganelli, President of Toronto Zenith Contracting Limited (the General Contractor of the project), said today the railings have not been completed by the firm Contracted to fabricate the rail.
“This is very rare for this fabricator,” Paganelli said. “We work with trusted, professional companies. We are extremely disappointed and as President of Toronto Zenith, the responsibility ultimately lies with me. I apologize to the citizens of Chatham-Kent. We will make this situation right.”
Paganelli said his firm is still investigating the issue and he is not willing to guarantee a new completion date until more information is available.
The railings in question go along the outside edges of the bridge providing pedestrian and vehicular safety. These are also the railings that will contain the new LED light (strips) within to shine onto the sidewalks as planned.
Without these railings the bridge cannot accommodate the public due to safety concerns as the provincial Ministry of Labour will continue to consider the bridge as an active construction site.
The rehabilitation project has faced several delays over the last year, initially expected to partially reopen to traffic in November of 2021.
