By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

Chatham-Kent may be boosting security measures at Wallaceburg’s L.O. Stonehouse Memorial Walking Bridge.

Ward 5 Coun. Carmen McGregor will be bringing the matter before council Aug. 10 in response to two incidents of vandalism earlier this year.

McGregor, who brought the notice of motion forward at the July 27 meeting, told council vandals had caused “significant damage” to the electrical infrastructure that operates the bridge, rendering the lift span inoperable.

“Repeated acts of vandalism against critical infrastructure result in increased costs to taxpayers, disruption to public access and impacts to community events and service,” McGregor said. The motion will ask C-K staff to prepare a report outlining options, costs, and recommendations for enhanced security measures for the bridge.

A $2.3-million rehabilitation of the downtown Wallaceburg crossings was completed in 2024, following a two-year period of the bridge being closed.

The bridge was originally opened in 1910 and was a busy crossing for vehicular traffic. In 1983, it was reconfigured as a walking bridge named in honour of former Wallaceburg mayor Como Llewellyn Owen “Lou” Stonehouse. A loyal servant of the town, Stonehouse passed away in 1981.

Another Wallaceburg issue may also come under the microscope.

At the July 27 council meeting, Ward 5 Coun. Aaron Hall said he’ll be bringing a notice of motion forward at the Aug. 10 meeting to examine all of the community’s defunct rail crossings, including the rail swing bridge that crosses the Sydenham River.

According to Hall, community members have expressed concern regarding rail crossings which have not been used in years, including one on Dufferin Avenue that’s been paved over. If approved, the motion asks administration to examine the crossings as well as how much it would cost to remove them.

It also asks council to prepare a presentation on the issue for the new council to review post-election.