SWING BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION DELAYED

Submitted by Natalie Austin, Parks Canada

Parks Canada has been informed that, due in part to delays associated with the fabrication and delivery of hydraulic and mechanical components, the Bobcaygeon Swing Bridge will not be open to vehicular traffic in mid-May as originally scheduled. Exact timing of when the bridge will be open to vehicular traffic, as well as the completion of the project, is currently being determined and will be released when it becomes available.

Parks Canada is working with the contractor and consultants for the project to bring the project to completion as soon as possible, as well as meet the interim needs of the public and local businesses:

Vehicular bridge traffic

To enable vehicle and bridge sidewalk traffic over the summer season, Parks Canada together with our consultant, are working with the contractor to install a temporary hydraulic power unit which would allow the bridge to be operated. Be advised: we anticipate that the bridge will operate slower than normal under this temporary solution. To ease congestion and avoid delays, it is strongly recommended that the current detour route be utilized if possible.

Navigation

Although this project will combine the hydraulic system to operate both bridge and lock, instead of requiring two separate systems, this work had not yet been completed. Parks Canada maintenance staff will work to ensure that the lock will be ready for operation on the currently scheduled opening date of May 21, 2021.

Pedestrian access

The wooden pedestrian walkway across the lock will be removed to enable boat traffic throughout the Trent-Severn Waterway operating season. Access across the lock gates will remain available to pedestrians. Parks Canada is working with the contractor to develop a temporary solution for an accessible crossing, which will be shared publicly as soon as possible.

Lock station grounds

Areas currently gated due to construction will remain so until construction is completed.

Parks Canada is leading important work along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site, as part of a $3 billion investment to support infrastructure work to heritage, visitor, waterway and highway assets within national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas across Canada. To learn more about Parks Canada’s infrastructure work, please visit www.pc.gc.ca/tswInfrastructure.