Construction contract awarded for new Little Current Swing Bridge

The Ontario government has named EllisDon as the construction manager for the Little Current Swing Bridge replacement project.

The new bridge will replace the existing bridge on Highway 6 connecting Manitoulin Island to the mainland, providing reliable, year-round access to the provincial highway network and making it easier for workers and families to connect to jobs, housing and essential services.

“Replacing the Little Current Swing Bridge will protect this critical connection to Manitoulin Island, support good-paying jobs in the region and keep families,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation.

Located on Highway 6 in the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the existing 110-year-old bridge is the only road crossing to Manitoulin Island and a vital connection for residents, businesses and visitors. Last fall, the province awarded a detail design contract for a new two-lane swing bridge to maintain reliable, year-round access to Manitoulin Island. Construction of the new bridge will support good-paying local jobs, helping drive economic growth across the region.

“The Little Current Swing Bridge is a vital connection for Manitoulin Island residents, businesses, and visitors. As the Island’s only year-round road crossing, it supports access to jobs, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities across the region,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “

Today’s announcement builds on the government’s ongoing work to better connect Ontario’s communities, including a $31 billion investment to repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province. This includes major highway projects across Northern Ontario, such as upgrading Highway 17 from Echo Bay to Highway 548, four-laning the Trans-Canada Highway from Thunder Bay to Nipigon and from Kenora to the Manitoba border, and widening Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury.

In September, the Little Current Swing Bridge was dedicated as the Constable Marc Hovingh Minjimennikaade Memorial bridge.

Featured image: The swing bridge connecting Manitoulin Island to the mainland was completed in 1913. (Government of Ontario)