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Rebuilding Kissing Bridge in West Montrose to cost an extra $4.6M
A historic covered bridge in West Montrose needs repairs, but it won't be cheap. CTV's Jeff Pickel has the latest on the budget-busting project.
Region of Waterloo councillors are considering a plan to rebuild the Kissing Bridge in West Montrose and staff are recommending they approve it, despite its ballooning budget.
The region originally set aside $6,270,000 for the project in the 2025-2034 capital budget.
After going through the contract tendering process, the cost rose by an additional $4,601,800.
The total to repair the covered bridge now sits at $10,871,800.
kissing bridge covered west montrose
The Kissing Bridge in West Montrose on June 17, 2019.
The report blamed the increasing cost on 'the lack of available historical standard unit cost data for this unique, specialized and complex project, for example, the requirement for General Contractors to carry a specialized, pre-qualified timber-subcontractor on the project is not typical on most local municipal bridge projects and so standard costs are not readily available.'
Broken beam
A broken beam under the West Montrose Covered Bridge. (Dan Lauckner / CTV Kitchener)
A bid, submitted by Looby Builder (Dublin) Limited for $9,735,297, was also recommended in the report.
To make up for the increased budget, the report suggested amendments to the region's 2026 capital budget.
The Kissing Bridge was built in 1881 and renown as the last remaining covered bridge in Ontario. It was even featured on a postage stamp.
west montrose covered kissing bridge stamp
The covered bridge in West Montrose is featured in a new Canada Post stamp.
The region said the repairs are necessary as the bridge represents significant heritage and tourism value.
The full financial burden of the project will not fall entirely on the region. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program will providing more than $4 million if the project is finished by March 2027.
kissing bridge
The West Montrose Covered Bridge was built in 1881. (Region of Waterloo/Twitter)
Council is expected to vote on this matter at the Regional Council Meeting on June 25th.
