The construction contractor will soon remove the old bridge to aid in the fabrication of the new bridge being performed offsite. The bridge will be opened to vessels for the 2010 Trent-Severn Waterway navigation season and open to vehicular traffic by mid-June, 2010.

Parks Canada is committed to completion of this project as quickly as possible to restore normal traffic flow. Until that point, motorists are requested to use Highway 12 at Gamebridge to cross the canal.

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a major economic driver in Ontario and is in need of substantial infrastructure improvement. This bridge construction helps to improve the overall condition of the heritage assets of the Trent-Severn Waterway for the enjoyment of all Canadians.

Information:

Paul Wood
Chief Engineer and Asset Manager
Central Ontario Field Unit
Parks Canada
(705) 750-4900

During the freshet period, the public can expect higher than normal water levels and increased river flows at some locations. Fast, cold water above and below dams and in river reaches is extremely dangerous. The public is urged to stay away from Waterway dams and to avoid areas near riverbanks. In addition, ice packs that were made fast to the shoreline over the winter months are rapidly thinning and breaking away from the shore in the fast river currents.

Parks Canada will work closely with local Conservation Authorities and the Ministry of Natural Resources to communicate risk levels and safety information to residents in order to ensure public safety.

Further advisories will be issued if necessary.

The Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada is a major economic driver in Ontario. Parks Canada monitors and manages water levels in the watershed throughout the year to accommodate wildlife habitat, mitigate flooding, and provide for navigation of this nationally significant waterway.

Information:

Sara Atkins
External Relations Manager
Central Ontario Field Unit
Parks Canada
(705) 750-4900

On-site inspections of the structure will be completed on January 27-28, conditional upon adequate weather conditions. The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic during this short time period.

The bridge has been deteriorating over the years due to extensive corrosion and has been inspected on several occasions by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). In early 2009 an in-depth examination was conducted as a preliminary stage of planned extensive repairs. At this time the bridge was found to be unsafe to swing on a daily basis.

As a result, the bridge was taken out of operation and work was initiated to return the bridge to safe condition and normal service.

The anticipated schedule for this repair work is as follows:

July 2009 - Consultant RFP posted for tender completed
November 2009 - Design Consultant selected completed
June 2010 - Design completed and construction contract tendered
August 2010 - Construction contract awarded
December 2010 - Repairs completed and bridge re-opened for vehicle traffic

Beyond the purposes of transportation, the Port Severn Swing Bridge is a tourism and historical icon, and part of the cultural fabric of the Trent Severn Waterway National Historic Site. Parks Canada works to ensure that Canadaﾒs historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.

Peter Frood,
Field Unit Superintendent
Central Ontario Field Unit
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Parks Canada
(705) 750-4900

The bridge was in the open position for the duration of the summer navigation season to allow vessel traffic to pass through the Waterway.

The bridge remains unsafe to swing but is safe for traffic, within the posted load restrictions, while supported in the closed position. To minimize the inconvenience to local residents and tourists over the fall and winter months, the bridge will remain in position and stabilized to allow vehicles to pass.

Parks Canada is working closely with the project manager, Public Works and Government Services Canada, to expedite all aspects of the repair work. In order to provide accurate and ongoing communications, details will be shared and made immediately accessible on the Parks Canada website at www.pc.gc.ca/trent.

Parks Canada regrets the impact that the bridge closure has had over the summer season. Public safety remains an important concern over the winter months and for the duration of the project.

The Port Severn Swing Bridge is a tourism and historical icon, and part of the cultural fabric of the Trent Severn Waterway National Historic Site. Parks Canada works to ensure that Canadaﾒs historic, cultural and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.

All watercourses will be lowered to their winter levels commencing October 14.

For public safety, it is important that people stay clear of all dams, control structures, lock chambers and lock gates. Lock station grounds are not intended for public use between November and May as some public safety hazards may exist. For instance, ice and snow may remain on stairs and walkways and the isolation of some locations could leave an injured person unattended. Parks Canada asks that you visit the lock stations only during the operating season when all public safety protocols and staff are in place.

Marine interests are advised that over the non-navigation season, aids to navigation may be missing, off-station or inoperable until next spring.

Parks Canada looks forward to welcoming you back next spring when the navigational season re-opens.

Peter Frood,
Field Unit Superintendent
Central Ontario Field Unit
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Parks Canada
(705) 750-4900

Alternative measures were investigated to try and keep the bridge operational during the navigational season and it was determined that there is no safe way to do so. Parks Canada is working closely with the project manager, Public Works and Government Services Canada, to expedite all aspects of the repair work. In order to provide accurate and ongoing communications, details will be shared and made immediately accessible on the Parks Canada website at http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/ne/index_e.asp.

Parks Canada regrets the impact that the bridge closure has on our visitors, partners, as well as the inconvenience to the community at large , however public safety remains of paramount concern.

Beyond the purposes of transport, the Port Severn Swing Bridge is a tourism and historical icon, and part of the cultural fabric of the Trent Severn Waterway National Historic Site. Parks Canada works to ensure that Canadaﾒs historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future.

Peter Frood,
Field Unit Superintendent
Central Ontario Field Unit
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Parks Canada
(705) 750-4900

The Superintendent of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada is pleased to provide an up-date on the progress of repairs to the Bolsover Road Swing Bridge (at 132 Bolsover Rd) also known as Bridge 43 on the Waterway.

The Project Manager, Public Works and Government Services Canada confirms that the Request for Proposal for the bridge design consultant has now been posted to a competitive tendering process. Design work should be completed by the end of March 2010, at which point the Request for Proposal for contracting will be posted. Commencement of construction work is expected by May 2010 and it is anticipated that the bridge will re-open in November 2010.

In the meantime, the bridge will remain closed to vehicle traffic. Motorists are asked to continue using the Boundary Road swing bridge or the high level bridge at Regional Road 50 to cross the Waterway. Parks Canada regrets the inconvenience caused by this closure and is committed to completion of repairs as quickly as possible to restore normal traffic flow.

Sara Atkins
Communications Manager
Trent-Severn Waterway
(705) 750-4900

Monday to Thursday - Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 4:00
Friday to Sunday - Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 7:00
Victoria Day - Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 7:00

June 26 - Sept. 7

All days - Open 8:30 - Last Lockage 7:00

Sept. 8 - October 14

Monday to Friday Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 3:30
Saturday and Sunday Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 5:30
Thanksgiving Day Open 9:00 - Last Lockage 5:30