Repairs on Parks Canada swing bridges in Kawartha Lakes stretch into years

As tourism season looms, residents in the City of Kawartha Lakes say frustrations are building around Parks Canada projects that have faced multiple delays.

Residents in two villages in the City of Kawartha Lakes, Ont., say ongoing construction delays on bridges owned by Parks Canada are costing the community financially.

The swing bridge spanning Lock 32 of the Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) in the heart of the village of Bobcaygeon has been closed for construction since the spring of 2019.

The project has faced a number of delays — including the COVID-19 pandemic — and structural challenges to repair the bridge which was originally built in 1921.

Parks Canada said on Tuesday the Bobcaygeon swing bridge reconstruction project in early April included the lowering of the swing bridge onto its pintle (centre support) and balance rails. The bridge was manually swung to test its fit and function.

“This major milestone allows for the remaining work on the bridge abutments and road to progress,” Parks Canada stated in an email to Global News. “The hydraulics and electrical systems for the lock were recently installed and commissioned to combine them with the new bridge systems in advance of navigation opening.”

The remaining tasks on the bridge include the forming and pouring of concrete on the bridge abutments, installation and testing of the remaining mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical components, and paving.

“Parks Canada continues to work with the contractor, stressing the importance of completing the project,” the statement read.

However, for some residents including David Goncalves-Graz, owner of the Graz restaurant located near the TSW, the delays have been inconvenient and harmful.