Blackfriars Bridge reopens after $8.6M makeover
CBC News | Posted: December 1, 2018 11:20 PM | Last Updated: December 1, 2018
The bridge is open to cyclists, cars and pedestrians after undergoing a $8.6 million, 13-month rehabilitation
London's historic Blackfriars Bridge officially reopened Saturday with a community celebration that drew hundreds out in the cold to take their first stroll across the newly refurbished bridge.
Built in 1875, the bridge is one of the oldest in Canada and one of North America's last wrought-iron, bowstring-arch truss bridges.
In November 2017, the 143-year-old structure was removed from its abutments and taken off-site for an $8.6-million makeover, paid for by the city of London and the federal government's gas tax and public infrastructure funds.
The bridge is now open to cars and cyclists travelling eastbound into downtown, and has a dedicated westbound bike lane. There is a separated wooden sidewalk for pedestrians.
The project has drummed up a lot of support and enthusiasm from residents.
"History, heritage and keeping culture in our community is really important," said incoming Ward 13 councillor Arielle Kayabaga.
Fond memories
The bridge's reopening led many long-time Londoners to reflect on their memories in the Blackfriars area.
John Cox, who grew up around Oxford Street and Wharncliffe Road in the 1940s, remembers taking the bridge on his way home from school.
"It's a great piece of history, and when we have history it allows us to talk about things," said Cox.
Richard Mitchell moved to the Blackfriars neighbourhood as a 10-year-old. Soon after, one of his friends decided to cross the bridge by walking over the top of it.
"Which wasn't the smartest thing to do, but he survived," said Mitchell. "If I move somewhere else I'll always remember the bridge. It was pretty unique for a neighbourhood to have a bridge like this."
Long-time Torontonian Yvonne Raaflaub recently moved back to London, where she previously lived while studying library science, and said she's "thrilled" to have returned in time to see the bridge reopen.
"I'm really, really happy to be back in London. I consider it to be my home, and I'm particularly excited to be at Blackfriars today because I'm a walker and this is my very favourite view north from Blackfriars," she said.
On the west side of the bridge, the Thames Valley Parkway is now open between Empress Ave. and Blackfriars St., but will remain closed from Blackfriars to Carrothers Ave. for the West London Dyke repair project, according to a city news release.