KINGSTON, ONT. — Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) provided a recent update on the problem-plagued LaSalle Causeway Bascule bridge in Kingston, Ont.
Working closely with Priestly Demolition Inc., which was awarded a $1.7 million contract for the immediate demolition and removal of the Bascule bridge structure in June, PSPC has determined installing a temporary modular bridge will allow vehicle crossings.
It is anticipated to be opened by the end of September and will also include space for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the bridge on one side.
The marine navigation channel will remain open to marine traffic until the installation of the temporary modular bridge begins.
“Once installed, PSPC anticipates that the temporary modular bridge will be removed and reinstalled a couple of times before the end of the navigation season in order to create temporary access for marine traffic,” a release reads. “During these temporary marine access windows, vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian access will be unavailable. Specific dates and timings of these marine access windows are to be determined, and public notices will be issued in advance to advise the public accordingly.”
No decision has been made regarding the 2025 marine access windows, but PSPC states it will consult with various community stakeholders to schedule activities in order to minimize disruptions.
The temporary modular bridge will be in place until the construction of a permanent, replacement bridge is complete.
The LaSalle Causeway in Kingston has been fully closed since early April. An incident occurred March 30 where a truss element of the bridge was compromised during construction. No one was injured or harmed in the incident.