Removing century-old bridge among options feds considering to fix Kingston causeway closure

The federal department that operates theclosed LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ont., has confirmed one of the options it's weighing is scrapping the damaged Bascule bridge altogether.

But that solution, or another alternative which would involve removing a separate concrete span to allow marine traffic through, would only be considered if the bridge was "deemed irreparable," stated Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in an email.

The primary optionand the quickest way to reopenthe crossing to all trafficremains repairing the bridge in a phased approach, stated PSPC spokesperson Michle LaRose.

In an update shared Friday afternoon, the department said work isunderway and "progress" has been made on repairingsome parts of the bridge.

It is a disaster, an out-and-out disaster.- Bob Clark, Kingston Marina

It's now expected to take approximatelyseven to nineweeks,barring any unforeseen issues,providing a timeline that could dipinto July.

For local businesses already feeling the crunch of the bridge closure, all three options PSPC has proposed have one problem in common: they're too slow.

"We have been greeted with a cavalier attitude from officials who are so tangled up in their own red tapethat they won't listen to solutions other than their own," said St. Lawrence Cruise Lines president Jason Clark.

He told reporters Thursday he's written directly to the prime ministerasking him to intervene.

"This is a federal government mess," he said. "The federal government, we feel, must clean it up and act swiftly."

The causeway opened more than a century ago and is a keylink connecting downtown Kingston with the city's eastern suburbs. More than 20,000 vehicles cross it every day.

Part of the crossing is a Bascule bridge, which uses a heavy counterweight to let boats through. But it's been closed since March 30, after PSPC said a steel truss that supports the weight was damaged while work was underway to strengthen it.

Two cruise companies with vessels trapped on the wrong side of the bridge have been pushing for a solution ever since.

Some options will take 12-14 weeks, feds say

They've suggested temporarily removing a concrete span from a different part of the crossing to allow boats through, adding they've spoken with a contractor who said it could be done in three weeks.

In its statement, PSPC said that's one of the options it's exploring, but it would require relocating communications cables used by Utilities Kingston and Bell Canada.

Taking out the concrete section, like removing the damaged bridge itself, would only allow marine traffic through, the department stated.

A temporary bridge would be needed in order for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to cross outside of the marine season, according to the department.

142:13:20Kingston's LaSalle Causeway to be closed for up to 10 weeks for repairs

\nCruise boat operators can't gear up for tourist season in Kingston becuse their boats are stranded on the wrong side of the damaged LaSalle Causeway bridge. It will be closed for up to 10 weeks for repairs.

PSPC also provided an evenlonger timeline for the twoalternatives.

"Both options could be implemented no sooner than within 12-14 weeks," the email from PSPC read.

"The modular temporary bridge required for both options would undergo assembly and installation after the annual closure for marine traffic, in November, and would require an additional 4-6 weeks."

PSPC added it could not comment on "financial liabilities" related to the situation.

Businesses feeling 'powerless or paralyzed'

Clark described the Bascule bridge as a "Kingston landmark," explaining that while he desperately needs to get his cruise ship free to take on customers, he believes removing the bridgeshould only be considered as a "very last option."

As of last week, his company had been forced to cancel two cruises, a loss of roughly $350,000 in ticket revenue alone. Clark said they've since had to cancel a third sailing and are staring down a fourth.

Other businesses blocked off by the bridge are being hit broadside, too.

The Kingston Marina typically welcomes six to 12 mega yachts each year, big spenders who shop and stay downtown, said owner Bob Clark. (While they share the same last name, he and Jason Clark, the cruise line owner, are not related).

He said last year the Basculebridge was raised around 900 times, usually to let multiple boastthrough that bring businessup and down the Rideau Canal, but this year that won't happen.

"It is a disaster, an out-and-out disaster," said Clark. "This is a killer."

Approximately 700 small businesses in the city's core were counting on tourists and other foot traffic, but are already seeing an eight per cent dip in pedestrian counts, according to the Downtown Kingston BIA.

"I had somebody tell me last night that they had a 28 per cent decrease in revenue for April," said executive director Marijo Cuerrier. "They said it's worse than COVID."

If any more delays push thecauseway closure into August or September it will have swallowed up most of the tourism season, she added.

"I think most of us here feel a little bit powerless or paralyzed to do anything," said Cuerrier.

"It's a terrible feeling of helplessness. The federal government feels an awful long way away."