Ontario Premier Doug Ford has announced plans to replace the historic Little Current Swing Bridge on Manitoulin Island with a new two-lane bridge, complete with a pedestrian walkway and bike lane. The contract for the detailed design of the new bridge has been awarded to Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Ford expressed urgency in getting the project completed, with early works already underway and a planned start in the spring. The province is investing $9 million in the initial stages of the project, with the final cost yet to be disclosed.
The premier emphasized the importance of the bridge as the sole road connection to Manitoulin Island and its significance in facilitating transportation for families, workers, and businesses for the past century. Ford stated that the new and wider bridge will support economic growth and provide residents with reliable access to the highway network for the next century.
The new two-lane bridge is part of Ontario’s $30 billion infrastructure plan aimed at enhancing critical transportation projects. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria highlighted the government’s commitment to improving safety, reliability, and job creation through the construction of the new bridge.
In addition to the bridge project, the province announced investments in two long-term care homes on Manitoulin Island. St. Joseph’s Lodge in Gore Bay will see an expansion with 64 new beds set to be completed by 2027, while the Wikwemikong Nursing Home will undergo construction to provide 96 beds for Indigenous residents starting next year.
