Weight restrictions on the 9th Street East bridge in Owen Sound beginning today.
The city is receiving 1.3 million dollar dollars in funding from the Federal and Provincial government under the Building Canada Fund, to help pay for replacing 9th Street bridge.
That project is worth nearly two million dollars and it will take about one year to complete.
Manager of Engineering Services Chris Webb says they expected to have an environmental assessment this year with work in the spring of 2010, but that could be moved up now.
Webb says analysis over the last few days shows more cracks in the structure.
As a result, dump trucks, transport trucks, and buses will be restricted from using 9th Street East bridge in Owen Sound until it is replaced.
Webb says the bridge is still safe for cars and light trucks.
Because the bridge has deteriorated quicker than expected, Webb says it may push up the time line for replacement to later this year.
Webb says it is a major project, and while it will be about a year to complete the work — there will be no traffic across 9th street at all for 6-months during the construction.