CALEDONIA—A century-old bridge in Caledonia has reached the end of its lifespan, and its heritage protection has been removed.
Haldimand County Council has voted to repeal the 1984 heritage designation of the Seneca Bridge in Caledonia, clearing the way for its demolition and commemoration through a permanent display in Seneca Park.
The decision was made during the October 7, 2025 Council-in-Committee meeting following recommendations from staff and Heritage Haldimand.
The report, prepared by Anne Unyi, Supervisor of Heritage & Culture, stated that Bylaw 443/84 no longer applies because the bridge “no longer meets the Criteria for Determining Cultural Heritage Value or Interest” under Ontario Regulation 9/06.
The structure, built in 1913 at a cost of $1,400, has deteriorated beyond repair and been closed to the public since 2023 due to safety concerns.
According to the report, the Seneca Bridge once carried traffic along what was then River Road (Highway 54) between Caledonia and York. It served as an important crossing over Black Creek until 1950, when the highway was widened and rerouted. Since that time, the structure has been bypassed, leaving it without any transportation or functional use.
Recent inspections by Engineering Services revealed “significant structural concerns, including corrosion, material fatigue, and collapsed decking.”
Staff determined that the bridge posed a liability and risk to public safety, particularly because of its location within the popular Seneca Park and near the Rotary Riverside Trail.
Heritage Haldimand, after consulting with Engineering Services in May 2025, recommended that the designation be repealed and that the site’s history be honoured through interpretation rather than preservation.
The group proposed a storyboard and possibly incorporating a portion of the original metal framework as a monument.
Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley and Councillor Dan Lawrence both expressed support for the decision at the meeting.
