McEwen Bridge, Concrete bowstring arch bridge in Vaughan, Canada
McEwen Bridge is a reinforced concrete bowstring arch bridge carrying Kirby Road over the Humber River in Vaughan, Ontario. Completed in 1923 to a design by Ontario engineer Frank Barber, it has one of four such arches over the Humber. Closed to vehicles since the late 1970s, it now carries pedestrians of the Humber Valley Heritage Trail.
Engineer Frank Barber designed and built this structure in 1923 as one of four reinforced concrete arch bridges spanning the Humber River in Ontario. The construction was part of the region's infrastructure development and remains an example of early concrete engineering.
The bridge carries the name of Lorne McEwen, a landowner who acquired the adjacent property in 1916, linking it to local heritage. His name remains attached to this structure, connecting walkers to the region's early days.
The bridge is closed to vehicles and reachable only on foot, as part of the Humber Valley Heritage Trail within the Nashville Conservation Reserve. The deck, arch hangers and guard rails are damaged and spalling, so walkers should keep to safe sections. A 2010 City of Vaughan environmental assessment recommended full rehabilitation, but work has not begun.
The bridge scored 45.1 on the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario's Bridge Condition Index, a rating classed as poor. Damage affects the deck, bottom arch chord, vertical arch hangers, floor beams and guard rails, with large areas of spalling. A 2010 City of Vaughan environmental assessment recommended full rehabilitation, but work has not begun.
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