City of Brantford officially reopened the D’Aubigny Creek and Lorne Bridge trails following extensive renovations to improve safety and accessibility of the trails on Monday, July 15, 2024.
Mayor Kevin Davis, Brantford-Brant MP Larry Brock, Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma, and Brantford City Councillors Rose Sicoli, Dan McCreary, Richard Carpenter and Mandy Samwell cut the ribbon to officially welcome trail users back to the newly improved and loved trail routes.
“I am extremely pleased to see the D’Augbigny Creek and Lorne Bridge trails reopen to provide more opportunities for residents and visitors to stay active and enjoy the beauty of Brantford. The City is very grateful for the funding support received by Infrastructure Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure to help improve the safety and accessibly of these beloved trails,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford.
D’Aubigny Creek Trail project
Offering leisurely hiking suitable for residents and visitors of all ages, the D’Aubigny Creek Trail is a popular scenic route within the City of Brantford’s trail network that features views of the Grand River, a Canadian Heritage River. However, the close proximity of this Trail to the Grand River caused erosion that led to its closure. Through this project, the Trail was relocated away from the edge of the river to enhance safety and ensure the trail is available to use for years to come. The existing asphalt trail was replaced and plantings along the shore were added to provide a buffer to prevent future erosion. Renovations also included the installation of new benches and trash receptacles. The City of Brantford received a contribution of $161,460 from Infrastructure Canada and $40,365 from the Ontario Ministry of Infrastructure to support the renovations to this well-loved trail.
In addition to the upgrades to the trail, the nearby D’Aubigny Creek Sports Fields have also been relocated and resized to align with the reconstructed D’Aubigny Creek Trail and better meet the recreation needs of Brantford residents.
Lorne Bridge Trail Realignment project
The Lorne Bridge Trail is part of the SC Johnson Trail that crosses under and nearby three bridges in the City of Brantford: the Lorne Bridge, Brant’s Crossing Bridge and the TH&B Crossing Bridge. To improve active transportation opportunities for a range of users and improve safety, the Lorne Bridge Trail was realigned north of the embankment and away from the Grand River which improved visibility by diverting the path away from the decline that has previously created conflict points between pedestrians and cyclists.
The City planted new trees and shrubs to contribute to the natural environment and scenery of the trail and installed 10 new benches for users to sit and enjoy the beautiful views of the Grand River.
The City of Brantford received a contribution of up to $450,000 from Infrastructure Canada to support the realignment of the Lorne Bridge Trail through the Active Transportation Fund. The safety and accessibility improvements created by the Lorne Bridge Trail realignment project allows more community members to enjoy the trail and reduces barriers to active transportation opportunities in the City of Brantford.
Find more information about the City of Brantford trails, along with trail maps and washroom locations at Brantford.ca/Trails.
About the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)
Through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the governments of Canada and Ontario are providing long-term, stable funding to build strong, dynamic and inclusive communities. Investments help communities reduce air and water pollution, provide clean water, increase resilience to the impacts of climate change and create a cleaner, stronger economy.
“Our government is supporting municipalities across Ontario by investing to upgrade and rehabilitate recreational infrastructure, fostering stronger and more engaging communities. As a result of this funding, the D’Aubigny Creek Trail now features improved accessibility and safety features, offering more opportunities for residents across the City of Brantford to spend time outdoors with their friends and loved ones,” said Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure.
About the Active Transportation Fund
The Government of Canada created the Active Transportation Fund to support projects that improve infrastructure for active transportation such as walking, biking, or running. Projects such as the Lorne Bridge Trail Realignment Project that improve active transportation infrastructure help support municipal climate goals, provide more recreational opportunities, and improve community resilience.
“Trails provide a safe, affordable and convenient way for people to get around their communities. We are proud to invest in the D’Aubigny Creek Trail and the Lorne Bridge Trail to ensure that Brantford’s residents are able to safely use and enjoy them for years to come,” said The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
