Road Closures/Construction

Long Swamp Road Bridge

This closure is the result of safety concerns surrounding Long Swamp Rd Bridge. Township Staff is in the process of undertaking a structural assessment of the bridge to determine what, if any, remedial work is required.

Due to the bridge closure, the Township closed Long Swamp Rd from Bellrock Rd to just south of the Long Swamp Bridge. This closure will not affect access to homes in the area, which can continue to be accessed by Long Swamp Road from the South via German Rd or Huffman Rd. Access to Bellrock Rd can be obtained via Road 38 in Verona.

For more information, please contact our Public Services Department at 613-376-3027 ext. 4331.

Parks Canada:  Lower Brewers Swing Bridge Closed Until Further Notice

Rideau Canal National Historic Site 

December 8, 2022 - Parks Canada has advised that the reconstruction of the Lower Brewers Swing Bridge at Lock 45 has encountered supply chain delays relating to large timber delivery. These delays are expected to shift the completion and reopening of the bridge to vehicles into approximately Fall 2023.

There will be no impacts on boat travel during the 2023 navigation season; however, the bridge will remain closed to vehicular traffic during the remainder of the project.

Please note that while every reasonable effort is being made to adhere to planned schedules and minimize impacts on residents and visitors, all construction projects are currently subject to supply chain constraints that are beyond the project team's control, which may result in delays to the project’s completion.

The Lower Brewers Swing Bridge was closed in August 2021 after assessments of the condition of the bridge indicated that the bridge needed to be closed immediately for public safety. We thank area residents and visitors for their patience and understanding.

The Lower Brewers Swing Bridge replacement project is part of the Government of Canada’s Federal Infrastructure Investment program. Parks Canada is leading this important infrastructure work to ensure safe, high-quality experiences for visitors by improving heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, including along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site.

More Information:

For questions or concerns or to receive email updates regarding this project, please get in touch with us at rideau@pc.gc.ca and include “Lower Brewers Swing Bridge Project Update” in the subject heading. For news about this or other infrastructure projects in your area or Questions and Answers on this project, please visit: www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/visit/infrastructure.

November 23, 2022 – Parks Canada revised completion date: summer 2023. 

April 5, 2022 – Parks Canada would like to advise that the construction work to replace the Lower Brewers Swing Bridge which began in the second week of March continues with the concrete demolition work now complete and 80 percent of the old bridge now removed.

Work on the abutments and approach walls will begin in the month of April and will carry on until June 23.   On site activities will then stop until September 7 to minimize impacts during the busiest period of the Navigation Season.

The new bridge will be fabricated offsite and is scheduled to be assembled onsite in 2023.

A full replacement of the timber bridge and concrete work followed by landscaping is expected to be complete in spring 2023. There will be no impacts to the navigation season but the bridge will remain closed to vehicle traffic during the construction project.

Please note that while every reasonable effort is being made to adhere to planned schedules and to minimize impacts on residents and visitors, all construction projects are currently subject to supply chain constraints that are beyond the control of the project team and that may result in delays to project completion. 

The Lower Brewers Swing Bridge was closed in August 2021 after assessments on the condition of the bridge indicated that the bridge needed to be closed immediately for public safety.

The Lower Brewers Swing Bridge replacement project is part of the Government of Canada’s Federal Infrastructure Investment program. Parks Canada is leading this important infrastructure work to ensure safe, high-quality experiences for visitors by improving heritage, visitor, waterway, and highway assets located within national historic sites, national parks, and national marine conservation areas, including along the Rideau Canal National Historic Site.

More information:

For questions or concerns, or to receive email updates regarding this project, please contact us at rideau@pc.gc.ca and include “Lower Brewers Swing Bridge” in the subject heading. For news about this or other infrastructure projects in your area, please visit https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/rideau/visit/infrastructure/kingston. 

August 13, 2021 – Parks Canada advises that the Lower Brewers Swing Bridge is closed to vehicles and pedestrians until further notice.

In order to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, and as part of Parks Canada’s maintenance operations, all Rideau Canal bridges are inspected every year, with a comprehensive inspection taking place every five years. Further assessments on the condition of the bridge indicated that the bridge must be closed immediately for public safety until a replacement of the bridge can occur. 

What to expect:

• During this closure, the bridge will remain in the open position. Temporary bridge closure signs are in place. Please exercise caution and follow signage in the area.
• Detour signs for vehicles have been installed and are detailed in the map below. The detour routes are as follows:
• For access to Washburn Road (East of the Bridge)
• Washburn Road East of the bridge to Highway 15 remains open to local traffic only. Traffic from Washburn Road (West of the bridge), Sonneveld Road and Sunbury Road are directed to use Detour D-1 (Regional Road 12 – Sunbury Road East - Highway 15 South)
• For access to Washburn Road (West of the Bridge)
• Washburn Road East of Sonneveld Road and West of the Bridge remains open to local traffic only. Traffic from Highway 15 are directed to use Detour D-1 (Regional Road 12 – Sunbury Road West)
• Boat navigation will not be impacted.