Study expected to take approximately two years
MANITOULIN—The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has announced the name of the consultant being hired to undertake a study looking at the future of the Manitoulin Swing Bridge.
“Stantec Consulting Ltd., located in Stoney Creek, was the successful engineering firm for the recent planning, preliminary design and environmental assessment process request for proposals for the replacement of the Highway 6 Swing Bridge at Little Current,” said Gordan Rennie, regional issues and media advisor for the MTO Northeastern Region, on Wednesday.
Mr. Rennie explained, “the assignment is valued at $2.5 million and is expected to take approximately two years to complete. The public and stakeholders will be notified once the project gets underway.”
As reported last September, the MTO is in the early stages of an environmental assessment to determine the fate of the 104-year-old historic bridge at Little Current.
The bridge provides the only land access onto Manitoulin Island, but it must swing open several times a day to allow boat traffic into the North Channel.
With the MTO having identified and in the process of hiring the consultant, the environmental assessment will then include preliminary designs, alternate locations and public consultation. Part of the environmental assessment process is consultation with public stakeholders.
The Swing Bridge in Little Current, which is designated an Ontario Heritage site, marked its 100 year anniversary in 2013.
