Removing century-old bridge among options feds considering to fix Kingston causeway closure

The federal department that operates the closed LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ont., has confirmed one of the options it's weighing is scrapping the damaged Bascule bridge altogether.

But that solution, or another alternative which would involve removing a separate concrete span to allow marine traffic through, would only be considered if the bridge was "deemed irreparable," stated Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in an email.

The primary option — and the quickest way to reopen the crossing to all traffic — remains repairing the bridge in a phased approach, stated PSPC spokesperson Michèle LaRose.

In an update shared Friday afternoon, the department said work is underway and "progress" has been made on repairing some parts of the bridge.

It's now expected to take approximately seven to nine weeks, barring any unforeseen issues, providing a timeline that could dip into July.

For local businesses already feeling the crunch of the bridge closure, all three options PSPC has proposed have one problem in common: they're too slow.

"We have been greeted with a cavalier attitude from officials who are so tangled up in their own red tape that they won't listen to solutions other than their own," said St. Lawrence Cruise Lines president Jason Clark.

He told reporters Thursday he's written directly to the prime minister asking him to intervene.

"This is a federal government mess," he said. "The federal government, we feel, must clean it up and act swiftly."

The causeway opened more than a century ago and is a key link connecting downtown Kingston with the city's eastern suburbs. More than 20,000 vehicles cross it every day.

Work crews could be seen around the LaSalle Causeway on May 9, 2024. The bridge has been closed since the end of March after part of it was damaged. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

Part of the crossing is a Bascule bridge, which uses a heavy counterweight to let boats through. But it's been closed since March 30, after PSPC said a steel truss that supports the weight was damaged while work was underway to strengthen it.

Two cruise companies with vessels trapped on the wrong side of the bridge have been pushing for a solution ever since.

Some options will take 12-14 weeks, feds say

They've suggested temporarily removing a concrete span from a different part of the crossing to allow boats through, adding they've spoken with a contractor who said it could be done in three weeks.

In its statement, PSPC said that's one of the options it's exploring, but it would require relocating communications cables used by Utilities Kingston and Bell Canada.

Taking out the concrete section, like removing the damaged bridge itself, would only allow marine traffic through, the department stated.

A temporary bridge would be needed in order for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to cross outside of the marine season, according to the department.

PSPC also provided an even longer timeline for the two alternatives.

"Both options could be implemented no sooner than within 12-14 weeks," the email from PSPC read.

"The modular temporary bridge required for both options would undergo assembly and installation after the annual closure for marine traffic, in November, and would require an additional 4-6 weeks."

PSPC added it could not comment on "financial liabilities" related to the situation.

Businesses feeling 'powerless or paralyzed'

Clark described the Bascule bridge as a "Kingston landmark," explaining that while he desperately needs to get his cruise ship free to take on customers, he believes removing the bridge should only be considered as a "very last option."

As of last week, his company had been forced to cancel two cruises, a loss of roughly $350,000 in ticket revenue alone. Clark said they've since had to cancel a third sailing and are staring down a fourth.

Other businesses blocked off by the bridge are being hit broadside, too.

The Kingston Marina typically welcomes six to 12 mega yachts each year, big spenders who shop and stay downtown, said owner Bob Clark. (While they share the same last name, he and Jason Clark, the cruise line owner, are not related).

Bob Clark owns Kingston Marina and MetalCraft Marine. He says losing the entire 2024 tourism season because of the bridge closure could be a 'killer.' (Dan Taekema/CBC)

He said last year the Bascule bridge was raised around 900 times, usually to let multiple boast through that bring business up and down the Rideau Canal, but this year that won't happen.

"It is a disaster, an out-and-out disaster," said Clark. "This is a killer."

Approximately 700 small businesses in the city's core were counting on tourists and other foot traffic, but are already seeing an eight per cent dip in pedestrian counts, according to the Downtown Kingston BIA.

"I had somebody tell me last night that they …  had a 28 per cent decrease in revenue for April," said executive director Marijo Cuerrier. "They said it's worse than COVID."

If any more delays push the causeway closure into August or September it will have swallowed up most of the tourism season, she added.

Marijo Cuerrier is executive director of the Downtown Kingston BIA. She says local businesses are seeing a big drop in foot traffic because of the LaSalle Causeway closure. (Dan Taekema/CBC)

"I think most of us here feel a little bit powerless or paralyzed to do anything," said Cuerrier.

"It's a terrible feeling of helplessness. The federal government feels an awful long way away."