Earlier this month, the province awarded the detailed design contract for the replacement of Manitoulin Island’s only overwater road crossing. Stantec Consulting will be building a newer, wider bridge that will replace the iconic Little Current Swing Bridge, which has connected Lake Huron’s largest isle to the mainland for more than110 years.
The 368-foot-long bridge, given its name for its unique ability to swing open in order to accommodate marine and land traffic, was constructed between 1912 and 1913. As one of the only swing bridges in Canada, the crossing has been designated an Ontario Heritage Site.
When it was first erected, the Little Current Swing Bridge exclusively served rail traffic and, before the implementation of a car lane in 1946, the only way for folks to access Manitoulin Island was by ferry. But ever since closure of the railway line in the 1980s, the bridge has exclusively serviced vehicle traffic, connecting motorists to Hwy. 6 and beyond.
For most of the year, the Little Current Swing Bridge remains in its closed position, save for the first 15 minutes of each daylight hour during the summer, when it opens to permit boats to pass through. At night and over the winter, the bridge remains closed.
Currently, the bridge only allows for a single lane of traffic—something Al MacNevin, the mayor of the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, says leads to traffic jams.
“In the busy summer season, traffic is backed up through Little Current and on the other side as well. The single lane limitation causes frustration for drivers while waiting their turn to cross,” he says, adding that the bridge has also experienced more frequent breakdowns in recent years. “It will be a happy day when the new bridge is built and in service.”
The new bridge will remedy this issue by having two vehicle lanes to better accommodate the more than 4,500 vehicles that cross everyday during the peak summer months, alongside a pedestrian walkway and bike lane. And yes, the new bridge will also be a swing bridge.
The $9 million project is part of the province’s larger plan to invest more than $30 billion in building, repairing, and expanding critical transportation infrastructure across Ontario, according to a press release. In September 2023, the province finalized the planning, preliminary design, and environmental assessment to replace the bridge, and construction is expected to start early next year, with the new bridge located just west of the existing crossing. As for the historic Little Current Swing Bridge, it will continue operations until the new bridge is completed.
“The Little Current Swing Bridge is not only an iconic landmark in the community, but also a vital link for residents, tourists, businesses, and emergency services in accessing Manitoulin Island,” says George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Our government is investing in the replacement of this bridge to bring a key piece of the past into the future—making travel easier, keeping Manitoulin Island connected, and ensuring people and goods can move safely, efficiently, and reliably in the north.”
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