Northumberland County is moving forward with the replacement of Burnley Bridge, located on County Road 29 in the village of Burnley, with construction scheduled to begin on July 11, 2025. The bridge will be closed to all traffic from July 11 through to November 2025, with local detours in place.
Burnley Bridge has served the community for over 70 years, spanning Burnley Creek approximately 190 metres south of Noonan Road. Originally constructed in 1950 as a single-lane concrete rigid frame, the bridge has been a critical link for local residents and visitors. Recent structural assessments have determined that, due to its age and condition, full replacement is the most cost-effective and sustainable option to meet future transportation needs.
The new bridge design will improve safety and connectivity for the community. Key features of the replacement project include:
· Removal of the existing single-lane concrete rigid frame bridge
· Installation of a new two-lane precast concrete rigid frame bridge with a distribution slab
· Installation of steel beam guide rail for added roadside protection
· Reconstruction of bridge approaches to align with the new structure
To complement these upgrades, a permanent speed reduction will be implemented in the area surrounding the bridge, in accordance with modern road safety standards.
During construction, County Road 29 at Burnley Bridge will be fully closed to traffic. All local traffic will be required to detour using County Road 29 and McDonald Road, as well as County Road 22 and Jakobi Road. Detour signage will be in place to guide drivers and minimize disruption.
“We understand that this closure will impact travel through the area, and we are working to ensure clear communication and safe alternative routes for residents and visitors,” states Manager of Infrastructure Peter Deshane. “This is a significant infrastructure upgrade, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we complete this important work to modernize and future-proof the bridge.”
Northumberland County hosted a successful Public Information Session on December 11, 2024, where residents had the opportunity to review the project plans, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Suggestions shared at the session were carefully considered, enabling the project team to refine elements of the design and minimize community impacts.
“We’re grateful to everyone who took the time to attend the information session and share their thoughts,” adds Deshane. “Community feedback is an important part of our planning process and helped us explore alternatives to improve the overall outcome.”
The new structure is designed to meet modern safety, accessibility, and environmental standards, ensuring a reliable crossing for decades to come. For more information and updates about the Burnley Bridge Replacement Project, visit Northumberland.ca/burnleybridge.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about planned construction and roadwork throughout the county by visiting Northumberland.ca/ Construction. An interactive map is also available to explore live updates and locations of ongoing and upcoming work.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
