Community Update: Update on Construction

 

July 20, 2018 – Parks Canada is pleased to provide an update on the project to repair the historic Burritts Rapids Swing Bridge. Work has advanced to the point where the bridge should be reopened to vehicular and pedestrian traffic by end of day Tuesday, July 24th, 2018.

Once opened to traffic the work will enter into the commissioning phase where the contractor will be closely monitoring the performance of the bridge, conducting test swings, and making minor adjustments as required. Throughout the commissioning phase, which could take up to two weeks, residents should anticipate intermittent closures during the day.

Once the bridge is re-opened to traffic, the temporary pedestrian crossing will be removed.

Over the last two weeks the contractor has completed repairs to the bridge’s protective coating, installed the wood decking, re-installed mechanical components, and completed additional repairs on the historic stone masonry.

Parks Canada would like to thank the Burritts Rapids community for their patience and understanding as these important repairs were completed.

Through investments in infrastructure, Parks Canada is protecting and preserving our treasured places, while supporting local economies, contributing to growth in the tourism sector, and enhancing the charm and attractiveness of Canada’s heritage sites.

 

About the Burritts Rapids Lock 17 site

Lock 17 is located in the community of Burritts Rapids, in the township of North Grenville. Largely situated on an island between the Rideau River and Canal, Burritts Rapids was one of the first communities on the Rideau, tracing its roots to 1793 and the arrival of Col. Stephen Burritt.

The canal cut was dug in 1826 and the dirt and clay served as building materials for the earth dams holding back the water of the Rideau Canal from the community site. The swing bridge dates to 1897 and continues to be swung by hand during the navigation season.

For More Information:

For up-to-date news on Parks Canada infrastructure work in this community, please visit www.pc.gc.ca/rcNorthGrenville. For questions or concerns, or to receive updates regarding these projects, please contact us at RideauCanal.info@pc.gc.ca and include “Burritts Rapids” in the subject heading.