Lower Brewers Swing Bridge Construction Update

Rideau Canal National Historic Site

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.