Federal government investing thousands to build bridge over Conestogo River

A stretch near the trails in Wallenstien in Wellesley Township is seen in this image taken on March 19, 2025. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News)

The federal government has pledged $180,000 to build a new pedestrian bridge near Wallenstein in Wellesley Township.

When built, the federal government hopes the bridge over the Conestogo River will help improve connectivity along the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail.

“When people were taking the G2G trail, they got to the Conestogo River – they had to stop and turn back. Technically, it wasn’t a G2G, you had to go back to the G you started from. That is about to change,” MP for Kitchener-Conestoga Tim Louis said during an announcement on Wednesday.

Construction is expected to start in 2026, but some engineering work is still underway.

The money is coming from FedDev Ontario through the Tourism Growth Program.