What We Heard: A Cleaver Road Bridge Engagement Summary. Thank you for participating!

Between April 28 and June 30, 2025, the County of Brant collected public feedback on the future of the Cleaver Road Bridge. Engagement included an in-person open house held on May 12 as well as an online and printed survey. Engagement efforts resulted in 118 survey responses, 23 online questions and comments, and 7 written comment sheets. The Engage Brant project page received 751 visits during the engagement period.

The purpose of this engagement was to:

• Understand how the bridge closure has impacted residents
• Gather public feedback on the possible options for the bridge
• Help inform the staff recommendation to Council

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback as part of the engagement process.

What We Heard

The Community is Divided

Residents are deeply divided about the future of the bridge:

• Some want the bridge fully reopened to vehicle traffic for better access and safety
• Others strongly support keeping it closed to vehicles and converting it to a pedestrian and cycling route
• A smaller group would prefer the bridge be removed altogether

Travel Times and Safety Are Big Concerns

• 50% of survey participants said the closure has significantly impacted their travel time and routes
• Many residents said they don't feel comfortable using Robinson Road or Mill Street, which they describe as narrow or steep
• Residents expressed safety concerns at the intersection of Robinson Road and Highway 24

"An extra 2 mins. But when the original time took only 5, that's now an additional 50%."

“The roads that now have increased vehicular traffic as a result of this closure need to be addressed. The speeds that people are traveling through these residential areas is a big concern.”

Pedestrian Access Matters Too

While vehicle access was ranked the top priority among survey respondents, maintaining pedestrian access was also an important priority. Many people enjoy using the bridge for walking, cycling, and connecting with neighbours and nature.

“The bridge being closed is honestly the most wonderful part of living in the area.”

“It has become a community hub for walkers, families, and wildlife.”

It’s About More Than Transportation

Several residents emphasized the community and environmental benefits of the bridge in its current closed state:

• Reduced traffic and noise
• Safer spaces for children and pets
• More wildlife and a peaceful trail-like atmosphere

Cost and Long-Term Value Are Important

When asked about possible solutions, most people preferred options that would:

• Reopen the bridge for vehicles (either by building new or rehabilitating the current one)
• Convert it to a long-lasting pedestrian bridge
• Lowest-ranked options were to remove the bridge or do nothing

A Need for Balance and Fairness

Many residents voiced frustration about:

• Perceived unequal investment in rural infrastructure
• Feeling that their voices or neighbourhoods have been overlooked

“If this bridge were in Paris, it would have been fixed immediately.”

“It’s time our tax dollars were invested here.”

Read the complete Survey Responses Report.

What’s Next

The feedback gathered has been compiled into a summary report and will be considered together with factors such as:

• Engineering assessments
• Environmental considerations
• Budget and cost considerations
• Long-term community needs

Staff is currently developing a recommendation for Council that will be presented this Fall, 2025.

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