Morningside Pedestrian Bridge

Arcing for more than a half-mile over one of the busiest highways in Canada, the Morningside Pedestrian Bridge provides cyclists and pedestrians access to the Trans Canada Trail between Cambridge and Kitchener in Ontario. The arching metallic spine of the bridge reaches 25 feet at its highest point, allowing more than 50,000 motorists to pass underneath on Highway 401 each day.

Durability was especially important when considering the future...

Originally proposed as a nondescript, mesh enclosed cage-like structure, the plan for the bridge was decried as an eyesore by the community and local officials. Regional Councilor Jean Haalboom pronounced the original bridge would be seen as Ontarios largest chicken coop. After consulting with the community, a team of architects, engineers, and landscape artists was assembled to reconfigure the bridge into its current aesthetically pleasing design. With a price tag of CAN $1.7 million, the city desired an aesthetically pleasing structure that would require little or no maintenance and last for generations of hikers, bikers, and pedestrians to enjoy. Utilizing hot-dip galvanized steel for the structural elements of the bridge will protect the structure from the unsightly and potentially hazardous effects of corrosion, while the zinc coating will remain maintenance-free for decades.

Durability was especially important when considering the future of the bridge. Conestoga College, Ontarios number one ranked public college, is located directly on the west side of the Highway 401 and the Morningside Pedestrian Bridge. With plans to expand by building a second campus on the east side of the highway, more than 10,000 students are expected to regularly use the bridge. Hot-dip galvanized steel will keep this architectural investment beautiful, maintenance-free, and structurally sound well into the future.