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2025 Update: The City of Guelph provided this history of the bridge:
The Stone Road Bridge was constructed in 1916 and spans the Eramosa River on what was then the boundary line between the Township of Guelph and the Township of Puslinch. The bridge is an early example of reinforced concrete bow string truss construction or tied arch span, and was built to replace an earlier wooden span, commonly called McQuillan’s Bridge, due to the proximity of this river crossing to lots cleared and settled by the McQuillan family.
The Stone Road Bridge was built under the direction of Wellington County Engineer A. W. Connor as a sturdy and more permanent structure to meet the demand for better road conditions required by increased settlement and agricultural production in the area. The bridge was built by Charles Mattaini, a local contractor and craftsman who developed skills in the use of concrete for many local building projects and, in particular, bridges. Mattaini, a native of northern Italy, built over fifty bridges that were constructed in this area, and his work was well known and admired outside of Wellington County. The Stone Road Bridge is the only example of the concrete bow string truss form within the City of Guelph and is one of only a few remaining examples of this type in the County.
The first span of this type in Ontario was built in 1909 and featured a system of cross bracing between the vertical hangers. While these bridges share a basic form, there is considerable variety among these structures. The Stone Road Bridge is distinguished from the 1909 Ontario prototype in that it does not include a system of cross bracing. This form of design was later to become typical of the standard practice of concrete bow string truss construction in Ontario that was most popular between 1915 and 1930. The Stone Road Bridge is also distinguished by the height of its arches, which required them to be connected by a single cross beam, inscribed with the date of construction. The bridge’s graceful arches and simple design are considered to be a significant element of the riverscape at this location.
The introduction and success of the concrete bow string truss bridge reflects the transition from horse-drawn vehicles to motorized forms of transportation as this type of bridge provided a more safe and durable design than the traditional timber bridge found commonly in rural areas in the 19th century. The concentration of this bridge type in Wellington County is notable and reflects the availability of local aggregate and the particular skills of a local craftsman. The Stone Road Bridge is listed in the Ontario Heritage Bridge Program, spans a designated Canadian Heritage River route and is considered to be an early and rare surviving example of concrete bow string truss construction in a local, provincial and national context.
HistoricBridges.org Narrative
This bridge is a beautiful example of a rainbow arch bridge, also called a concrete bowstring arch bridge. It is one of a once-large, but today shrinking number of such bridges surviving in Wellington County. This is one of the few that does not appear to be at risk for demolition. In 2000, the bridge was bypassed with a modern replacement bridge on new alignment nearby. This heritage bridge was allowed to remain standing where it carries pedestrian traffic as part of a trail system. The bridge was built by a noted contractor, Charles Mattaini, under the guidance of Wellington County engineer A. W. Connor. Constructed in 1916, this is an early surviving example of this attractive and noteworthy structure type. This bridge is listed on the Ontario Heritage Bridge List.
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