Friends' hope to save historic bridge
July 27, 2006
Ball’s Bridge has some influential friends. And they’re banding
together to see what they can do to save this piece of Huron County history.
Former Auburn resident, Bill Seers of Goderich, who owns a cabin a short distance
from the bridge has organized a site meeting for 10 a.m., Sunday, July 30. “We
are calling ourselves the Friends of Ball’s Bridge and basically want
to try to get something going to repair it if the county won’t. And all
signs point to the fact that they are going to close it.”
The bridge has been closed to traffic since April 18. At the July 6 county council meeting, it was decided to extend the temporary closure of the 1885 iron bridge into 2007. But several councillors made it plain that they shouldn’t spend the money it would take to repair the bridge. In 1986, a new bridge was built south of Ball’s Bridge on a new highway link. Talk of demolishing the bridge raised anger among supporters of Ball’s Bridge and council then approved keeping the bridge open at its existing standard for a minimum of 10 years, except if it was damaged or removed by natural causes. The future of the bridge would be determined at the end of that time. The new bridge was opened in 1988 and Ball’s Bridge was used only for local traffic and daytrippers. Immediate repairs now are estimated at $100,000 to $150,000. Also it’s possible that another $100,000 to $150,000 could be spent in further repairs over the next two to five years. While the historical aspect of the bridge is one of the reasons supporters are fighting for it, there is another aspect to its tourism value. The bridge is crucial to a popular side hiking trail on the Maitland Trail. “Closing Ball’s Bridge will cut off the walking trail. From a recreational point this bridge is quite significant,” said Seers. “With the bridge closed you’re boxed right in here.”Among those who have expressed their support for the bridge are county librarian Beth Ross, Ralph Laviolette of the Huron County Historical Society and some county councillors. Seers invites any others interested in saving the bridge to attend Sunday’s site meeting. “Hopefully with ideas, we can keep things going.”
Historic Ball's Bridge may never re-open
Romance of Ball’s Bridge could end
Keeping
history alive
Significant sites need to be preserved