Hespeler Pedestrian Bridge

What is this project about?

The City of Cambridge has retained Wood to undertake a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B) for a new pedestrian bridge to be installed crossing the Speed River in a location to be determined within the project study area. The Project Study Area is broadly defined as the Speed River and lands abutting the Speed River between the Mill Run trail to the north and Queen Street West to the south. A new trail connection to the bridge is also considered a part of this study.

This project includes completion of the study in conformance with both the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA) legislation and the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. At a minimum, the study will address Phases I and II of the Class EA process for a Schedule B project. The anticipated alternatives are expected to include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Do nothing;
2. Install a new pedestrian bridge across the Speed River in the study area outlined herein. This is expected to include the generation of multiple preliminary alternative locations, which will be screened early in the process down to three (3) potential locations to be compared in detail as part of the study.

How do I get involved and learn more?

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Why is this project important to the City of Cambridge?

The City’s Cycling Master Plan (CMP), completed in 2020, identified the opportunity for a new pedestrian link by bridge to be established across the Speed River in Hespeler. The bridge would link the existing Mill Run trail on the north side of the Speed River and the new proposed trails on the south side of the Speed River. Please refer to Figure 12 on page 27 of the 2020 Cycling Master Plan to view the existing trails, proposed trails, and general connection point contemplated across the Speed River.

Network connectivity and All Ages and Abilities (AAA) facilities are key to the Cycling Master Plan (visit link on the right-hand side for more information). The highlighted Grey routes on Figure 12 in the CMP are ‘spines’ throughout the City which provide AAA cycling facilities. They are high quality and direct connections to all major destinations in the City, such as major commercial areas, parks, and schools. A bridge connection within that area would directly connect to the spine network and connect to other future AAA facilities (Hespeler Trail, Winston Blvd, etc). The bridge would also provide a more direct route into the Hespeler core from the north side of the Speed River.

What is the Study Area for this Environmental Assessment?