This 113-year-old bridge in Ontario will soon be replaced and here’s what to know

An iconic Ontario bridge that has stood for 113 years will soon be replaced.

The provincial government announced on Tuesday that it had selected a construction manager for its planned replacement of the Little Current Swing Bridge, a well-known crossing carrying Highway 6 between Manitoulin Island and Ontario’s mainland.

Originally constructed in 1913, the existing bridge is the only road crossing to Manitoulin Island. Though still known by locals as the Little Current Swing Bridge, the crossing was officially dedicated as the Constable Marc Hovingh Minjimennikaade Memorial Bridge in September.

During peak summer months, it serves approximately 4,500 vehicles each day. But after 11 decades of rail and later road service, the single-lane crossing has more than outlived its usefulness, and its structural steel has been steadily deteriorating over time.

Plans to replace the bridge have been in motion since 2018, and a preferred option for a two-lane swing bridge just west of the current crossing was selected in 2021.

Last fall, the province awarded a design contract for the planned replacement, and Tuesday’s news that the province has selected construction manager EllisDon has pushed the project one step closer to reality.

“The Little Current Swing Bridge is a vital connection for Manitoulin Island residents, businesses, and visitors,” said George Pirie, minister of northern economic development and growth.

Pirie notes that the bridge is “the island’s only year-round road crossing,” and is critical in supporting “access to jobs, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities across the region.”

“This investment will help keep people and goods moving safely and reliably for decades to come, while protecting the unique character of this important gateway to Manitoulin Island,” said Pirie.

Algoma – Manitoulin MPP Bill Rosenberg calls the bridge “a critical infrastructure to connect Manitoulin Island to mainland,” and notes how the “vital year-round corridor serves residents, businesses, visitors, and transporters with a dependable and accessible route.”

The province has not yet announced a construction start date.

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