CORNWALL, Ontario – Most of the remnants of the Seaway International Bridge will be torn down by 2020.
There are currently three piers in the water that once supported the bridge and on Wednesday, April 18 the Federal International Bridge Corporation (FIBC) announced that plans were in place to take them down.
“The demolition of the three remaining in-water piers will be tendered later this year for an anticipated completion in 2020,” reads a statement from the FIBC. “This work was planned as part of the original bridge replacement project and the commitment reaffirmed in 2015 by FBCL’s president and Chief Executive Officer, Micheline Dubé. For environmental reasons (such as fish spawning, river habitat and pollution control), the in-water piers cannot be completely removed, but will be reduced to a height of approximately 2 metres above water level.”
The project also includes roadwork and the installation of a traffic light at the main intersection of Cornwall Island. Work on that part of the project is expected to begin in mid-May.
“Once finished, this project will complete an $85 million investment by FBCL and the Government of Canada on the North Channel Bridge Replacement project,” the statement from the FIBC reads. “The project included the construction of the Canal Bridge and new low-level North Channel Bridge, the demolition of the original high-level North Channel Bridge structure and piers, the Brookdale Avenue roadway reconstruction, Cornwall Island roadway reconstruction and demolition of the original high-level North Channel Bridge in-water piers.”
Pier 3s on Cornwall’s waterfront will not be torn down and it has already been connected to the recreational path and a lookout has been added to the pier itself.
