Guelph's 100 steps are set to reopen early in 2018 after the pedestrian bridge over the train tracks has been replaced, the city says.

The steps, located near 560 Elizabeth St., which connect Huron Street to Grove and Metcalfe streets, have been closed since August for safety reasons. It is a popular spot for pedestrians as well as people looking to get in a gruelling workout.

An inspection of the pedestrian bridge showed corrosion of the steel supporting the bridge.

Initially, it was thought the bridge could be repaired, but a closer look at the bridge showed it needed to be replaced.

City engineer Kealy Dedman said in August they recognize the steps and bridge are "an important pedestrian connection" and they were working with the railways that own and maintain the bridge to address the problem "as soon as possible."

Weather could impact work

Metrolinx is overseeing the work on the pedestrian bridge and said a new bridge should be installed by the end of January, spokesman Scott Money said.

"Work to replace the bridge will begin soon. It's going to be replaced with a 100 foot steel bridge," he said. 

"Our initial work schedule was set for a repair job in September, but that repair to the bridge couldn't go ahead. So,a second contractor was brought on in November to provide a repair schedule, but after further investigation, they decided it would be best to replace the existing bridge rather than repair it."

The work is weather dependent, so winter storms could delay that work, Money noted.