Two bridges in Glen Williams to be named in honour of prominent local figures

By Fatima Raza, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, TheIFP.ca

Two bridges in Glen Williams are to be named in honour of prominent local figures, following a motion approved by Halton Hills Council on Monday.

The motion, put forward by Coun. Jason Brass and seconded by Coun. Joseph Racinsky, suggests naming these bridges as Inglis Bridge and Forster Bridge, celebrating local historical figures and families who have contributed significantly to the area.

The first bridge, located on Main Street near Confederation Street, will be named Inglis Bridge in recognition of the Inglis family, renowned local stonemasons, and particularly Gerry Inglis for his work on the town cenotaph and various masonry projects throughout Glen Williams.

The second bridge, located on Main Street at the base of Forster Street, will be named Forster Bridge. This name honours Rev. Forster of Norval, a respected Methodist preacher and close friend of the Williams family, for whom the street was originally named.

“We’re blessed to have several councillors, I’m looking at several of them right now that have deep family roots in Halton Hills and have contributed in many, many ways. I hope that one day you’ll be honoured in some way as well,” Coun. Brass said during Monday’s meeting.

The naming initiative was prompted by a request from the Esquesing Historical Society and received strong support from the Heritage Halton Hills Advisory Committee and the Glen Williams Ratepayers Association.

Coun. Racinsky said the naming initiative would help clarify some long-standing questions from residents regarding the bridges in Glen Williams.

“I want to thank Coun. Brass for his leadership on bringing this forward and eliminating some of that confusion,” Racinsky said. “I know when we speak to residents about the bridge replacements, this was often a topic of discussion.”

Racinsky said that naming the bridges will help residents more easily identify each bridge, reducing the confusion that comes from using street names or other informal references.

“The Halton Hills Heritage Committee was able to look at these names in our last meeting and endorse them unanimously. We have that support as well, which we’re really pleased to have,” Racinsky added.

The motion notes that the town’s existing street naming policy does not extend to infrastructure, but there is precedent for such actions in Glen Williams.

In 1996, the bridge on Main Street, between St. John’s Anglican Church and St. Alban’s Anglican Church, was named Williams Bridge.

The motion further adds that plaques, estimated to cost $2,000 each, will be added to the bridges as part of their future repair and reconstruction budgets.