Early repairs planned to extend the lifespan of Smiths Falls’ canal bridges
SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls wants to give two of its canal bridges a facelift. Not because they are about to collapse, but because, as Public Works director Paul McMunn put it, “there is some significant deterioration going on.” A little rehab now could add years to their life.
Smiths Falls council has given staff the green light to apply for up to $7M in provincial funding to repair two Beckwith Street bridges that cross the Rideau Canal.
At the Oct. 27 committee of the whole meeting, McMunn asked for approval to submit an application to the Ministry of Transportation’s Connecting Link program. Intake 11 of the program will fund up to 90 per cent of eligible bridge rehabilitation costs, with a cap of $7M per project.
The bridges in question are the New Lock Bridge and the adjacent pedestrian underpass. Both span the canal between Chambers Street and the Lombard and Beckwith Street intersection.
“These two particular bridges were not to alarm anybody, but there is some significant deterioration going on. Not that they are going to fall down tomorrow or anything like that,” McMunn told council. “If they are addressed sooner than later, it will significantly prolong the life expectancy of the bridge if we spend some money now.”
The town received funding in 2024 to complete detailed design work on the structures. McMunn said that design is now wrapping up and the town is ready to apply before the Nov. 13 deadline.
If the application succeeds, the province would cover up to 90 cents on the dollar. At a $7M project value, the town’s share would be $700,000.
“We are not committing the municipality to the $700,000. We are making an application,” McMunn said. “If we get a favourable response from MTO and we are awarded the full amount, we anticipate the town’s portion to be $700,000.”
He added that funding decisions are expected by June 2026. If approved, the municipal share would be split across the 2026 and 2027 capital budgets.
Beckwith Street crosses the Rideau Canal by way of four connected bridge structures. The Stone Arch Bridge and the Old Lock Bridge were rehabilitated in earlier Connecting Link intakes in 2016 and 2018.
The New Lock Bridge and the pedestrian underpass remain.
Biennial inspections under the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual flagged increasing deterioration, including a need for detailed investigative work in 2021 and 2023.
Inspection results “warrant rehabilitation of the two remaining structures,” McMunn said.
The application will also include upgrades to street lighting, matching the style and fixtures used through the downtown core, and improvements to the Beckwith and Lombard intersection. Much of the discussion centred on pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Councillors questioned whether the project incorporates complete streets principles, particularly cycling infrastructure and safer pedestrian crossings.
McMunn said the design team is actively testing options.
“We are working on that transportation component to see whether or not we can incorporate cycling infrastructure or not,” he said. “It is basically a tabletop exercise on CAD to see whether or not everything can fit.”
Councillors highlighted concerns about the free-flowing right hand turn from Beckwith onto Lombard, which has limited sightlines.
“I really would not want to see it go back the way it is now,” Coun. Chris McGuire said.
McMunn said that while the turning lane is likely to remain due to geometry, staff will follow up with consultants to confirm whether changes are possible.
“We are cognizant of the cycling infrastructure and seeing how things could be manipulated a little bit,” McMunn said. “The priority would be vehicular traffic. If we are able to fit in the cycling infrastructure, then we certainly do that to accommodate the complete streets policy that we have.”
After further questions, council provided unanimous support.
Staff will now complete the application and submit it to the province before Nov. 13.
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