Nov 05, 2009 - 10:40 AM

By Jeff Hayward

UXBRIDGE -- Township officials are concerned with the safety of a pedestrian bridge following vandalism at the site.

Uxbridge is looking to replace a wooden handrail on a former train bridge, now used by walkers and snowmobilers, located behind the Township's parks and recreation depot on Main Street North.

"Over the last couple of years, the amount of vandalism occurring at this location has increased," said Bob Ferguson, parks manager, in a report. "The railing is to the point that it basically needs to be removed and replaced with something that cannot be dismantled like the wood railing has been."

The bridge is part of an abandoned railway line that runs east from town and is "now used as an important part of our trail system", noted Mr. Ferguson. The wood railing cost about $4,000 to install a few years ago, "but the amount of repairs and (manpower) time to do the repairs each month is getting out of hand."

There is a 30- to 40-foot drop from the bridge, and "the water's not deep enough to shelter the blow" if someone fell, said Councillor Jack Ballinger.

Ingrid Svelnis, chief administrative officer, said the broken railings are a "major liability" to the Township.

Uxbridge's parks and recreation department voted to put out a call for proposals to install a steel railing, with a budget estimate of $15,000 to $20,000.