The Bridge
The City of Kingston is building a Third Crossing bridge across the Cataraqui River from the foot of Gore Road in the city's east-end to the foot of John Counter Boulevard in its north end. The bridge is the largest infrastructure project the City has ever undertaken and is being funded by all three levels of government – each contributing $60 million.
The new 1.2 kilometre, two-lane bridge will improve emergency services, increase active transportation through a multi-use pedestrian and bike pathway, create greater business connectivity and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Kingston.
This project is being led by a project team that will engage the public at key points. Explore these pages to learn more about how the history of this project, how this bridge will be built and how you can get involved.
The environmental assessment found benefits of a bridge would be:
- Decrease traffic congestion along the Lasalle Causeway
- Provide additional access to the east end of the city for emergency vehicles and City services
- Provide an alternative route during Lasalle Causeway closures
- Provide an opportunity for active transportation with a multi-use trail
- Accommodate future growth
- Enhance the Rideau Canal
There are four phases of the city's Action Plan for the project:
- Phase One - 2009 to 2013 - Environmental Assessment - Completed
- Phases Two and Three - January 2016 to June 2017 - Preliminary Design and Business Case Completed
- Phase Four - February 2018 to ongoing - Detailed Design and Construction - Underway (2018 – 2022*)
* estimated
Bridge facts and contributing locally - as of September 2020
A simple infographic stating facts about the bridge, environmental mitigation measures and local project benefits up to September 2020.
View the infographic
Current design
This is the current design of the bridge
Local project benefits of the bridge
View an image depicting local project benefits, bridge stats and environmental mitigation measures of the bridge up to September 2020.
UNESCO
Canada has 17 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a list that recognizes places of historical and cultural value. Rideau Canal in Ontario is one of those sites. The Rideau Canal connects Canada's capital of Ottawa to Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River at Kingston. Travelling from Kingston Harbour on Lake Ontario, the Rideau Canal was built for military purposes in 1832. Today it is primarily used for pleasure boating and is operated by Parks Canada. The canal system uses sections of two rivers, the Rideau and the Cataraqui River, as well as several lakes. It is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America, and in 2007 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
