100-year-old St. Paul West Bridge dismantled as part of GO development

The removal of a 100-year-old bridge on St. Paul Street West begins Monday and will last until Wednesday as part of a new GO project.

Fencing has already gone up in the area to alert the public, and local residents can expect to hear noise and construction activity as the GO precinct development project begins.

The construction means that there will be no train services to St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, given the location of the bridge looms overtop of the Canadian National Railway corridor.

Metrolinx says that trains will begin and end at Aldershot station in Burlington or West Harbour GO station in Hamilton for the next three days.

READ MORE: St. Paul’s bridge demolition in St. Catharines disrupts GO Train service

The City of St. Catharines says the bridge has already undergone extensive inspections which determined the need for immediate replacement.

Mayor of St. Catharines Mat Siscoe says that the construction has been a long time coming, and that the bridge work should have begun much sooner.

“There’s a lot of frustration amongst the businesses and the residents that it’s taken this long – this should have been dealt with years ago,” he told CHCH News.

Siscoe maintains that the project will greatly benefit local businesses but hopes the construction moves swiftly.

“There’s a lot of happiness that this construction is actually finally happening, but we just need to get on with it,” he said.

This replacement will improve the alignment on the road and retaining walls.

The multi-year project also includes upgrades to the St. Catharines train station and transit hub site, as well as an access road to the station from Ridley Road and the road’s reconstruction.

Detours as construction begins

Detours are in place on St. Paul St. West to Louth Street, Louth Street to Pelham Road, and Pelham Road to St. Paul St. West.

Any pedestrians looking to use the bridge are being reminded to use the detours found on Merigold to Chetwood Street, Chetwood to Pelham Road and Pelhan Road to St. Paul St. West.

Transportation Services Director for the Niagara Region Frank Tassone asks commuters to be mindful of their drive through the detours in the area.

“Please keep your speeds to the posted speed limit and be mindful and courteous as you’re driving through people’s sub-divisions,” he said.

There are also road closures in the area surrounding the GO station, so commuters are asked to plan accordingly.

Metrolinx says the GO bus will continue to run while construction is underway.

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