16th Avenue Bailey Bridge

History

The 21.3 m wood-plank-deck steel bridge was constructed in . It was last restored in 1965. Little has changed for the traffic in the area, which is still rural and agricultural with land use protected as is within the boundaries of Rouge National Urban Park.

Replacement

An assessment by York Region and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in 2007 suggested the bridge be removed when the road was realigned and widened, though still noted that it "is of heritage interest", although it was, at the time, not listed in the Markham Heritage Inventory. In a 2010 report from the Transportation Services Committee to the Regional Council, Rouge Park management indicated their desire to maintain the Bailey bridge for pedestrian use. In mid-2011, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority accepted the proposal to save the bridge for use in a future trail as part of Rouge National Urban Park by Parks Canada, after 16th Avenue was realigned and widened to eliminate the jog at Reesor Road.

By 2014, the realignment was complete and overpass built over the bridge. Roadway sections that formerly dipped downward to meet the old bridge are now gravel embankments for the new bridge. Old abutments remain in place as the old bridge is still in place. Mesh fencing closes off either end of the Bailey bridge to discourage trespassing.

The bridge was an early example of a Bailey bridge. They are now rare in Ontario.

References

References

1. (February 2012). "Built Heritage and Cultural Landscape Assessment". iTRANS Consulting}}{{Dead link.
2. (2010-01-21). "4 - Consultant selection for engineering services - 16th Avenue detailed design - Town of Markham (Request for proposal P-09-76)". Town of Markham.
3. "Cycling in Rouge Park". Rouge Valley Conservation Centre.
4. (2011-05-06). "Item EX7.4". [[Toronto and Region Conservation Authority]].