Kingston's LaSalle Causeway reopens for pedestrians
Pedestrians can once again cross the LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ont.
In a Wednesday media release, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) said the span has reopened to those on foot.
Cyclists can also use the sidewalk but must dismount and walk their bikes, it added. As work continues, future sidewalk closures may be "necessary for safety reasons," PSPC said.
The causeway is an important link between downtown Kingston and the city's eastern suburbs, but it was closed to all traffic after it was damaged March 30 during construction.
Part of the century-old crossing is a Bascule bridge, which uses a heavy counterweight to let boats through. PSPC said a steel truss that supports the weight was damaged while work was underway to strengthen it.
The closure has resulted in cancellations for stranded tour boats, traffic congestion and worries about a drop in foot traffic for downtown businesses.
'Progress' made, says PSPC
PSPC has said it's looking at making repairs in a phased approach in order to reopen the causeway to all traffic.
In an update shared May 10, the department said that work is underway and "progress" has been made.
It estimated the repairs will take approximately seven to nine weeks to complete, barring any unforeseen issues.
PSPC said it's also exploring two other options to allow boat traffic to resume: removing a concrete span or — if the bridge was deemed "irreparable" — scrapping it altogether.
However, those options would take 12-14 weeks, PSPC said, plus another four to six weeks in November to set up a temporary bridge for other types of traffic after the marine season is over.
