LaSalle Causeway: bridge replacement and renewal work
Learn more about replacing the former Bascule Bridge and renewing the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ontario.
On this page
Project overview
- Location
Kingston, Ontario
- Type of project
- Replacement and renewal
- Lead department
- Public Services and Procurement Canada
- Project status
- Planning phase
Project description
The LaSalle Causeway previously used a bascule bridge to cross the main navigation channel. A modular bridge now provides access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) must temporarily close the causeway at scheduled dates and times to remove the modular bridge. Transport Canada approves these closures. The closures are necessary to allow marine traffic to access the main navigation channel.
The project is in its early stages. PSPC is:
- examining both movable and fixed bridge options, following preliminary assessment
- planning renewal work on the West Bridge and the East Bridge
PSPC has not made any decisions on technical options. Information about timelines and budget is not yet available. PSPC will share this information as the project advances.
Updates will be published on this page when available. Users can also consult our public notices and X (Twitter) account for updates.
Stakeholder engagement and Indigenous consultations
PSPC will consult with stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders throughout the project. These groups include:
- the City of Kingston
- local marine-based businesses, including tour operators
- downtown businesses and their business associations
- Parks Canada
- communities along the Rideau Canal
- First Nations and Indigenous communities
- National Defence
- authorities having federal jurisdiction, including:
- Transport Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
PSPC plans to hold one or more public meetings to share information and gather feedback. PSPC will announce meeting dates as the project moves forward.
Key milestones
- 2025:
- Preliminary assessment of options for the new bridge
- Environmental review
- March 2026:
- PSPC hired specialized technical advisors from Ernst and Young to support consultations with stakeholders and Indigenous rights holders
- PSPC began gathering input to develop and analyze options for
- a permanent replacement bridge
- rehabilitation of the other causeway bridges
- Spring 2026: Formal stakeholder consultations
- Summer 2026:
- Development of a business case that outlines the proposed project to:
- replace the modular bridge with a permanent bridge
- rehabilitate the other causeway bridges
- The business case includes:
- a high-level reference design
- expected costs
- a procurement model that generates the most value for Canadians
- Development of a business case that outlines the proposed project to:
Project background
The LaSalle Causeway’s century-old Bascule Bridge was damaged during repair work in spring 2024. Our analysis showed that key elements of the bridge structure were severely damaged and could not be repaired. To allow marine traffic through the main navigation channel, crews removed the structure on June 20, 2024.
In fall 2024, PSPC installed a modular bridge at the location of the former Bascule Bridge. This restored access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to resume crossing the causeway, and continue to allow marine vessels to access the main navigation channel.