Valley Inn Pedestrian Bridge to be Open for Around the Bay Race

The Valley Inn pedestrian bridge -- a walkway connecting the City of Burlington and City of Hamilton -- will be opened in time for Sunday's Around the Bay Race.In order to ensure the bridge was race day ready, crews installed a temporary wooden bridge deck. In April, crews will be back to install a permanent, weather-resistant, fiberglass reinforced plastic deck that has a substantially longer operational life compared to other materials and will keep the bridge in good condition for years to come. The project will require a two-day closure to complete the work at that time.The revitalization of the historic connection between Hamilton and Burlington is thanks to a donation by The Patrick J McNally Charitable Foundation.

"Last weekend, my family and I took advantage of the spring weather and tried out the new Valley Inn Bridge. My Grandfather started his Foundation to support the Hamilton and Burlington communities, and organizations like The RBG, and The Bruce Trail with the goal of getting people out into nature and meeting their neighbours. The Valley Inn Bridge links three of these groups and was a route he spoke about using as a child. When we learned the bridge needed repair, it seemed like an obvious project for us to support. We want to thank the City of Hamilton, the City of Burlington, and all the groups involved that completed the project on schedule and in time for the Around the Bay Race 2022." -- Beth McNally, Patrick J McNally Charitable Foundation"This historic connection between Burlington and Hamilton goes back decades and is a piece of local heritage. I am truly grateful to the Patrick J McNally Charitable Foundation for their generosity and donation towards the revitalization of this piece of history to ensure it remains for future generations." -- Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward"As a long time Aldershot resident, I have witnessed many locals would refer to the Valley Inn Road bridge as the 'Rickety-Rackety bridge' from the noise that was produced whenever a vehicle would pass over it. It was closed many years ago to vehicle traffic and subsequently pedestrian traffic, as well due to high-water damage. I am very excited to see this pedestrian bridge reopen that provides a great connection between Hamilton and Burlington.  Thank you to the Patrick J McNally Charitable Foundation for your generous contributions that have allowed this to happen." -- Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, City of Burlington

BACKGROUND:The Valley Inn pedestrian bridge is located east of York Boulevard in Hamilton above Grindstone Creek and was installed in 1964 as a temporary structure after the previous bridge collapsed. The Bailey Truss bridge design was developed during the Second World War as a standard military bridge type that was portable, quick to erect, and easy to adjust for different loads and spans. Portions of the bridge remained over time, including the stone abutments that were a part of the original bridge built in 1897.Construction began in early January 2022 that included the removal of the bridge and the installation of a new steel truss bridge with timber deck and wooden railings meant to resemble the original. To maintain the cultural heritage of the bridge, the original 1897 stone abutments were protected, and two 3-metre-long truss sections of the bridge were salvaged and restored for the creation of two interpretive monuments that will be displayed on either side of the bridge.Quick Facts:

• Following the closure of the bridge to motorists in 2009 and pedestrians in 2019, a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) was initiated in 2020 by the City of Hamilton with support from the City of Burlington, to review the existing natural, cultural, and socio-economic conditions of the bridge.
• Following the completion of the study, the City determined that a full replacement, as opposed to a repair or a permanent closure of the bridge was the preferred alternative solution identified following its technical review and input received from the public, stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and agencies.
• The Valley Inn pedestrian bridge has been part of the 30 kilometre “Around the Bay Road Race” since its inception in the City of Hamilton in 1894. Approximately 10,000 participants compete in this race each year.