STEPHEN RICCIO

WALTHAM Oct. 7 2020

Waltham’s Black River Bridge will be closed from Oct. 19-Nov. 6 as the Ministry of Transport (MTO) repairs the bridge to avoid damage from upcoming winters.

The bridge, situated roughly 20 km north of the town centre, is used as an access road for at least two . . .

permanent residents and over 50 cottagers, according to Waltham Director General Fern Roy.

Roy said that the bridge belongs to the Quebec MTO, and that the renovation process shouldn’t take longer than three weeks.

“So what they’re doing is they’re going to take off some of the bottom part of the bridge that is close to the water,” he said. “By doing that, it will allow more clearance, about 150 mm which is about six inches. To be able to do that we have to take off the floor of the bridge.”

While the bridge is closed, those residents that are still in the area will need to make arrangements as the sole ‘detour route’ is a trail that can only be used by ATV going in the opposite direction.

Roy added that the repairs shouldn’t impact the local ski doo club, as there likely won’t be much snow to ski doo on during that time frame.