Belt Line bridge slated for scrap

Built of the Belt Line railway on Eglinton Ave. in 1890 one of the oldest landmarks in the district if slated to disappear. Last week Forest Hill council learned preliminary plans were under way to construct a modern bridge on what is not a busy highway.

Nicol McNicol, village engineer, stated the present wooden structure near Spadina Rd., was constructed over what was once through to be a modern passenger line circling the city. Now ti has been relegated to serve industries from Dufferin St., north of Eglington Ave. to Mount Pleasant Rd. in Toronto.

It was explained the new structure would be of reinforced concrete with a traffic way of 54 feet and six foot sidewalks on each side. It will have a single span of 50 feet to allow the double-tracking of the present single track and will be illuminated with modern ornamental lighting.

Upon completion of the plans, costs of the structure will be apportioned the Dominion Board of Railway Commissioners, Mr. McNicol explained Application was made to the railway board in 1931 for assistance in construction of a new bridge, he said.

Traffic counts taken by the Department of Highways last year showed the bridge was used by an average of 2,000 vehicles an hour during rush hours. "The maximum number in a 24-hour period was 22,500," the engineer said.

Railways: C.N.Rys.

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