Belleville approves $4M repair for aging Front Street Bridge to preserve dual-use access and heritage.

Belleville city council has approved a $4 million rehabilitation project for the historic 1930-era Front Street Upper Bridge, a 65-meter span over the Moira River that carries both vehicles and pedestrians. The bridge, showing significant deterioration in its structural components, will be repaired to extend its lifespan, with officials noting that replacement would cost about $15 million. Council rejected a proposal to convert it to pedestrian-only use, citing concerns over design changes and heritage impact. A traffic study supported maintaining dual use, though temporary closures for events remain possible at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 each. Funding was already included in the 2025 capital budget, and while installing gates for easier closures is not part of the current plan, it may be considered in the future.