Waterfront Trail Improvements: Corbett Creek Bridge, Trail and Boardwalk Replacement
The Town of Whitby is making enhancements to the Waterfront Trail through the Corbett Creek area. Improvements include a new pedestrian bridge, boardwalk and expanded asphalt trail surface from 3 meters in width to 4 meters.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through a $2.6 million Federal Active Transportation Grant.
May 1, 2025 Update:
We’re pleased to share that the new 80-metre Corbett Creek bridge has been successfully installed. In mid-May, the existing bridge will be removed, and the new boardwalk will be installed toward the end of the month.
In addition to the bridge work, construction is also underway to widen the waterfront asphalt trail from 3 meters to 4 meters, improving accessibility and comfort for all users.
The project is now expected to open to the public in the first week of July. We appreciate your continued patience as we complete the final stages of this important improvement project.
These are the planned upgrades:
1 - Corbett Creek Bridge - Overview
There are a number of upgrades planned for the Corbett Creek Bridge and Waterfront Trail.
2 - Corbett Creek Bridge and Waterfront Trail - Upgrades
The existing Corbett Creek Bridge, built in 1992, will be demolished and replaced with a new pedestrian bridge approximately 120 metres north of the existing structure to meet current design standards and accessibility requirements. The Waterfront Trail will be extended to the new pedestrian bridge location with a 4 meter wide asphalt trail surface.
Some of the updates for the bridge include:
The existing bridge is narrow, with a clear width of 1.75 metres. The supporting structure of the sewer the bridge is built over cannot accommodate a wider bridge replacement, therefore a new location needed to be found. An engineering feasibility study determined the best location for the new bridge to be 120 metres north of the existing crossing.
The new bridge spans will be 80 metres, crossing Corbett Creek and the wetlands.
The bridge will consist of structural steel trusses, metal railings and steel decking.
3 - Corbett Creek Marsh Boardwalk and Waterfront Trail - Upgrades
The existing Corbett Creek Marsh Boardwalk, also built in 1992, is planned to be replaced to meet current design standards and accessibility requirements.
Some of the updates for the Boardwalk and trail include:
The new raised boardwalk will follow the existing alignment.
The boardwalk spans approximately 150 metres and will run adjacent to the Corbett Creek marsh edge.
The boardwalk will consist of structural steel trusses, metal railings, and steel decking.
The existing boardwalk has a clear width of 2.25 metres, whereas the new boardwalk will have a minimum 3-metre clear width with additional widened rest areas/viewing areas.
The existing asphalt waterfront trail surface will be expanded from its current 3 metre width to 4 metres wide leading from the new boardwalk to the east property boundary of the Town of Whitby, maintaining a similar trail alignment to existing.
These upgrades will help to improve accessibility for all trail users.
Have Your Say
Residents were invited to comment and share their feedback on the proposed upgrades by completing a short survey by December 23, 2022.
Next Steps
Construction will begin in September 2024 with the anticipated reopening date scheduled for the end of May 2025.
The Town of Whitby is making enhancements to the Waterfront Trail through the Corbett Creek area. Improvements include a new pedestrian bridge, boardwalk and expanded asphalt trail surface from 3 meters in width to 4 meters.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada through a $2.6 million Federal Active Transportation Grant.
May 1, 2025 Update:
We’re pleased to share that the new 80-metre Corbett Creek bridge has been successfully installed. In mid-May, the existing bridge will be removed, and the new boardwalk will be installed toward the end of the month.
In addition to the bridge work, construction is also underway to widen the waterfront asphalt trail from 3 meters to 4 meters, improving accessibility and comfort for all users.
The project is now expected to open to the public in the first week of July. We appreciate your continued patience as we complete the final stages of this important improvement project.
These are the planned upgrades:
1 - Corbett Creek Bridge - Overview
There are a number of upgrades planned for the Corbett Creek Bridge and Waterfront Trail.
2 - Corbett Creek Bridge and Waterfront Trail - Upgrades
The existing Corbett Creek Bridge, built in 1992, will be demolished and replaced with a new pedestrian bridge approximately 120 metres north of the existing structure to meet current design standards and accessibility requirements. The Waterfront Trail will be extended to the new pedestrian bridge location with a 4 meter wide asphalt trail surface.
Some of the updates for the bridge include:
The existing bridge is narrow, with a clear width of 1.75 metres. The supporting structure of the sewer the bridge is built over cannot accommodate a wider bridge replacement, therefore a new location needed to be found. An engineering feasibility study determined the best location for the new bridge to be 120 metres north of the existing crossing.
The new bridge spans will be 80 metres, crossing Corbett Creek and the wetlands.
The bridge will consist of structural steel trusses, metal railings and steel decking.
3 - Corbett Creek Marsh Boardwalk and Waterfront Trail - Upgrades
The existing Corbett Creek Marsh Boardwalk, also built in 1992, is planned to be replaced to meet current design standards and accessibility requirements.
Some of the updates for the Boardwalk and trail include:
The new raised boardwalk will follow the existing alignment.
The boardwalk spans approximately 150 metres and will run adjacent to the Corbett Creek marsh edge.
The boardwalk will consist of structural steel trusses, metal railings, and steel decking.
The existing boardwalk has a clear width of 2.25 metres, whereas the new boardwalk will have a minimum 3-metre clear width with additional widened rest areas/viewing areas.
The existing asphalt waterfront trail surface will be expanded from its current 3 metre width to 4 metres wide leading from the new boardwalk to the east property boundary of the Town of Whitby, maintaining a similar trail alignment to existing.
The existing Corbett Creek Bridge, built in 1992, will be demolished and replaced with a new pedestrian bridge approximately 120 metres north of the existing structure to meet current design standards and accessibility requirements. The Waterfront Trail will be extended to the new pedestrian bridge location with a 4 meter wide asphalt trail surface.