LOCATION: Kingston, Ontario
Issue/Source: 1) LaSalle Causeway: Temporary closures for marine openings - Canada.ca [Public Services and Procurement Canada]
2) LaSalle Causeway to be closed to drivers, open to boats Saturday [CTV News]
Date: May 2025
Suggested Responses
- Transport Canada is working in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada to issue a Canadian Navigable Waters Act approval for the federally administered temporary modular bridge located in Kingston, Ontario.
IF PRESSED
The approval package will be posted on the Government of Canada’s Common Project Search website for public viewing.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- Transport Canada administers the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. The Act regulates works and obstructions that may interfere with navigation on navigable waters in Canada. The Cataraqui River is a navigable water, and the LaSalle causeway and bridges are subject to the Act. The LaSalle Causeway is located in Kingston, Ontario, and it crosses the Cataraqui River at the entrance to the Rideau Canal.
- Public Services and Procurement Canada is the administrator of the LaSalle Causeway, which included a bascule bridge, and two smaller eastern and western span bridges. Prior to the spring of 2024, the bascule bridge lifted on-demand, allowing vessels over 14 feet to access the inner/outer harbour(s). Vessels under 14 feet can pass through the eastern span bridge.
- The Cataraqui River serves both commercial and recreational vessel traffic in this heavily utilized waterway. In previous years, Public Services and Procurement Canada indicated that the bascule bridge lifted on average over 700 times per season.
- In March 2024, the bascule bridge was damaged beyond repair and was stuck in the closed position until June 2024. During this period, the marine industry was significantly impacted by the unexpected closure, as vessels over 14 feet could not pass under the bridge, nor access the inner harbour or Rideau Canal through this passage.
- As a result of the disruption to safe navigation, Transport Canada worked collaboratively with Public Services and Procurement Canada to ensure that appropriate plans and potential navigation-enabling solutions to the damaged bridge were being investigated to restore marine navigation.
- In June 2024, Public Services and Procurement Canada removed the damaged bascule bridge, restoring unrestricted marine navigation. The removal of the bascule bridge resulted in a road closure in the Kingston downtown area, and vehicles were required to use alternate routes located nearby.
- In September 2024, Transport Canada granted approval to Public Services and Procurement Canada for the placement of a temporary modular bridge with a limited removal schedule for the remainder of the 2024 season. The temporary modular bridge was identified by Public Services and Procurement Canada as the quickest solution to restore vehicular traffic. This approval expired on April 14, 2025. Public Services and Procurement Canada was required to submit a new application for the 2025 navigation season.
- In December 2024, Public Services and Procurement Canada submitted its application for the 2025 navigation season approval, proposing a significantly reduced removal schedule from 700 to 23 removals for 2025. There was a public comment period which took place from December 28, 2024, to February 5, 2025.
- Concerns raised by the public included the frequency of the temporary bridge’s removal and the limited proposed schedule for navigation through the LaSalle Causeway, impacting boating tour schedules, and access to the only local drydock located in the inner harbour. Commenters expressed that one removal of the temporary bridge per week was insufficient and requested additional openings, including full weekends, Canada Day, emergencies, and October 11 (the closing day for the Rideau Canal). Additionally, concerns were raised regarding revenue impacts experienced in 2024 and concerns for the 2025 season.
- Transport Canada shared all the public comments received with Public Services and Procurement Canada. Transport Canada worked collaboratively with Public Services and Procurement Canada to determine potential solutions and an alternate removal schedule that could mitigate some of the concerns raised.
- In April 2025, Transport Canada issued an amended approval to Public Services and Procurement Canada. The amended approval is valid until June 1st.
- Transport Canada is working in collaboration with Public Services and Procurement Canada to issue a new Canadian Navigable Water Act approval for the full 2025 boating season.