GRAND RIVER BRIDGE

It is important that the Grand River Pedestrian Bridge both respect the history of Galt and yearn for the future of the city. This Proposal carefully makes use of material and lighting to create a new bridge that lightly touches over the Grand River. Through the use of weathered steel , the bridge pays homage to the railway that once ran across Galt at the height of the mill industry.  At the same time, the glass reveal will bring new life to Galt by encouraging the exploration of the Grand River’s future.

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Corten Steel clads the lower portion of the bridge to allow it to respect the site with a purer form. The steel will change in colour over time and be an indicator of the history of this bridge. The cladding also allows the shadows of the structure above to be casted with clear and distinct lines, representing how the past frames the future and embracing the beauty of the structure. 

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A slit of glass on the deck reveals the structure running under the bridge, recalling the history of the river and encouraging exploration. The stainless steel wide flange holding the wooden deck and the glass in place will recall the foundation of the train tracks that once ran on that spot.

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The bridge should not take away from Galt at night. Therefore, lighting is designed to be directed downwards to reduce the brightness of the bridge. At night, the bridge will become a silhouette and only the people and the river is lit.

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In 2016, Joshua and Justin continued the development of the bridge with The Ventin Group. There, a new concept was developed that reflected the textile industry in the city. In the winter of 2017, the City of Cambridge entered into an agreement with Bronte Construction of Oakville to construct the Grand River Pedestrian Bridge.

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The bridge has recently finished and has been open to the public since Spring 2018.