The reopening of the Third Street Bridge in downtown Chatham has been delayed again.
The bridge reconstruction was to be completed on June 30, 2022, but that date has been pushed back to July 22, 2022.
According to the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the delay is due to a three-week province-wide strike of the International Union of Operating Engineers, which includes the operators of concrete pump trucks. Municipal officials said the pumps were required to pour the concrete bridge deck and their unavailability during the beginning of May delayed the deck pour by three weeks.
"The contractor for the bridge, Toronto-Zenith, worked on other components of the project during this time but was limited based on their inability to pour the deck and meet this critical construction milestone," said a statement issued by the municipality on Thursday afternoon.
The municipality said the contractor was able to prioritize the concrete pour to ensure that it started the day after the strike ended to minimize the delay of the bridge opening.
"Chatham-Kent would like to thank all of the residents and businesses that have been affected by this closure for their patience and co-operation. This rehabilitation of the Third Street Bridge will result in an updated structure that will serve as a safe and functional asset to the community for many years," municipal officials said.
Construction was put on hold over the winter but resumed in March 2022.
Updates on this and other projects in Chatham-Kent can be found by visiting www.chatham-kent.ca/constructionprojects.
This bridge delay will also put Bridgerama Days 2022 in downtown Chatham on hold for a month. The event was set to take place June 25, 2022, but now will be tentatively held on July 23, 2022. Event creator Clair Culliford said this date will be confirmed on June 14, 2022. Bridgerama Days 2022 is designed to be a celebration of the opening of the Third Street Bridge when it opens.
