At peak times, “more than 300 snowmobiles cross the bridge every hour,” says a Georgian Bay Snowriders official at the Wye Marsh area overpass.
The roar of seasonal snowmobile engines had yet to begin during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new interconnecting trail bridge just outside Wye Marsh in Tay Township.
Thanks in part to a $42,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant from the Resilient Communities Fund, political representatives joined local and regional snowmobile stakeholders to participate in the bridge’s grand opening.
OTF has developed a grants program to help nonprofits rebuild and recover from the impact of COVID-19. In 2022, statewide, he will invest approximately $210 million from OTF in more than 2,000 community projects and partnerships.
Last year, following a successful grant application from the nonprofit Georgian Bay Snowriders (GBSR), the club repaired a bridge to cross a creek on the Top C State Trail adjacent to Wye Marsh on Highway 12. I was able to.
“By replacing the deck of the bridge, the grant will ensure safe passage for outdoor enthusiasts and not just for snowmobilers, but hikers, cross-country skiers and even local wildlife that may pass through. It also benefits people who were originally going to attend the event.
As Stroud spoke, one of the many Chickadees present flew to her clipboard and burst into laughter from the gathering.
OTF volunteer Heather Breckles told the winners that she had made a strong case in her grant application.
GBSR Director Tom Irvine said the Ontario Snowmobile Club Federation has more than 30,000 kilometers of interconnected trails throughout the province as part of the Trans-Ontario Trail System. North Simcoe has over 150 kilometers of snowmobile trails.
“What that means is that putting this trail on par with the roadway is the snowmobile version of the 400 Series highway,” says Irvine. “On a Saturday afternoon in peak season, he can see more than 300 snowmobiles an hour on this trail crossing this bridge.
“If you lose connectivity on any of these trails, you’re essentially cutting off part of the state.”
Kevin Hagen, Manager of Mid-Ontario Snowmobile Trails, elaborated on what was being rebuilt.
“This bridge is being redecked with plastic products,” said Hagen. “It won’t mold, rot, or mold, and the plastic won’t decompose. The material has heat-reflecting technology and doesn’t off-gas. It’s recyclable and can withstand the carbides and studs found in today’s snowmobiles.”
Additionally, the OTF grant has enabled further investment to upgrade the bridge structural approach by replacing and installing concrete blocks in place of timber, with the aim of extending the life of the bridge abutments. Hagen also thanked local contractor Andrew Robitaille for his involvement in the bridge.
Deputy Mayor Barry Norris represented Tay Township as the landowner for that portion of the trail. Township Road and Water Management Infrastructure Regarding the full scope of his projects, Norris said:
