For immediate release November 1, 2022

Public consultation for Andrewsville Bridge open until Dec. 2

The public consultation process to determine the preferred option for the future of the Andrewsville Bridge is underway and open until Dec. 2 in the form of a virtual Public Consultation Centre (PCC). This is part of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process that began in April.

The bridge, located at the hamlet of Andrewsville in Montague Township, is more than 100 years old and nearing the end of its useful life. It spans the Rideau River, providing access to the Parks Canada swing bridge that crosses the Rideau Canal at Nicholson’s Locks. Lanark County and the United Counties of Leeds & Grenville (UCLG) share jurisdiction for the bridge, which has had a 5- tonne load limit since 1952 and is used by fewer than 200 vehicles per day. Since 2018 it has closed to traffic each year from Dec.1 to March 1 to eliminate further corrosion from de-icing materials. The latest inspection report recommended closing the bridge within five years and completing the EA study to investigate further options.

“The options review is a priority for the counties due to the bridge’s age and condition, posted weight restriction and seasonal operation, and its potential cultural heritage value,” said Sean Derouin, Lanark County public works manager. “As part of the EA process, all future options for the bridge will be reviewed to determine the preferred solution.”

The Class EA requires public and stakeholder consultation, evaluation of alternatives, an assessment of potential impacts of the proposed alternatives and identification of measures to mitigate any adverse impacts. Upon completion of the study, an Environmental Study Report documenting the process will be available for public review and comments for a period of 30 calendar days.

Information for the virtual PCC will be available online on Lanark County’s website at www.lanarkcounty.ca/andrewsvillebridge for a four-week period. Any person may visit the online PCC and address comments to the following email no later than Dec. 2, 2022: andrewsvillebridge@lanarkcounty.ca

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For more information/media interviews, contact:

Sean Derouin                                                 

Public Works Manager                                   

County of Lanark                                           

613-267-1353                                               

E-mail: sderouin@lanarkcounty.ca                  

Chris Bent

Project Manager

Jewell Engineering Inc.

613-969-1111

E-mail: chris@jewelleng.ca