LaSalle Causeway

On this page

• About the causeway
• Key milestones
• Information for motorists and other traffic
• Related links

About the causeway

The LaSalle Causeway is considered part of Highway 2, connecting the city of Kingston to its eastern suburbs.

The causeway, until recently, consisted of 5 interconnecting engineered structures:

• 3 bridges:
  • West Bridge
  • East Bridge
  • Bascule Bridge (removed in 2024)
• 2 wharfs:
  • West Wharf
  • East Wharf

The West Bridge and the East Bridge are 2 fixed bridges located at each end of the causeway, with the central channel currently open without a bridge structure in place since the Bascule Bridge removal.

The West Wharf contains the site office and workshop for the bridge and the operator control station for the Bascule Bridge.

The LaSalle Causeway links downtown Kingston to Pittsburgh Township near the mouth of the Cataraqui River.

The Cataraqui River is the southern entrance to the Rideau Canal, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The LaSalle Causeway provides marine access to the canal and the inner harbour of Kingston.

Bascule Bridge

The central channel was previously occupied by the Bascule Bridge, which lifted during the annual navigation season.

On March 30, 2024, part of the Bascule Bridge was damaged during construction. A diagonal steel truss element that supports the counterweight was compromised. During the repairs, we conducted an analysis. The analysis showed that key elements of the bridge structure were considerably displaced and misaligned. This would significantly reduce the life of the bridge. Following discussions with the City of Kingston, we decided to demolish and remove the entire structure of the bridge.

On June 20, the Bascule Bridge was demolished and removed, leaving the LaSalle Causeway fully open for marine navigation.

The department developed a plan to restore vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian access through a temporary modular bridge solution. We’re also preparing preliminary design work for a new replacement bridge.

Photo gallery

Key milestones

The causeway has undergone various structural changes over the years:

• 1917:
  • the causeway was opened
  • the 1829 “Penny Bridge,” a wooden toll bridge with a swing section to allow passage of marine vessels, was replaced by the Bascule Bridge, a single-leaf Strauss heel trunnion bascule bridge designed by the Strauss Bascule Bridge Co. of Chicago
  • the original East Bridge and West Bridge were single-span through truss structures
    
• 1969: the East Bridge was replaced with a 2-span prestressed concrete voided slab beam bridge that was designed by C.C. Parker & Associates Ltd.
• 1994: the West Bridge was replaced with a 2-span prestressed concrete box beam girder bridge
• 2010: the steel structure and coating of the Bascule Bridge underwent extensive rehabilitation
• 2020: mechanical systems were repaired to address the systems’ deficiencies that impacted operations
• 2021: the structural steel was repaired to address fatigue issues in the structural truss
• 2022: concrete repairs were completed to address deficiencies on the road and critical structural items for the health and safety of the public
• 2023: construction work began on the Bascule Bridge rehabilitation
• 2024: the Bascule Bridge was demolished and removed due to damage incurred during construction

Information for motorists and other traffic

Causeway closed to traffic

The LaSalle Causeway is closed to vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Channel opens for boats and marine vessels

The channel was reopened for marine navigation as of June 20, 2024.

Public notices

We will issue public notices about the closures and access in advance. Follow us on social media to keep up to date on bridge closures and channel openings.

Related links

LaSalle Causeway: Demolishing and removing the Bascule Bridge