Wasauksing swing bridge
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About the Wasauksing swing bridge
The historic Wasauksing swing bridge, originally built in 1895, is the Wasauksing First Nation's only road access to the mainland and an important crossing for area residents and visitors. The bridge is owned and maintained by the Government of Canada through Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and operated by the Wasauksing First Nation.
As of July 5, 2017, the bridge's operating schedule has been restricted in order to maintain the bridge's safety and integrity. These restrictions have been approved by Transport Canada's Navigation Protection Program, and will remain in effect throughout the 2023 navigation season.
ISC continues to work closely with the First Nation and federal partners to identify a long-term solution for safe, continued access to and from the First Nation.
Operating schedule
The bridge will swing open for water-based traffic from April 15, 2024 to November 22, 2024 at the following times:
April 15 to June 14, 2024
- The bridge will swing daily at: 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1:15 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm
- The first swing for the 2024 navigation season will be on April 15, 2024 at 7 am
June 15 to August 31, 2024
- The bridge will swing daily at: 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1:15 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm, 9 pm
September 1 to November 24, 2024
- The bridge will swing daily at: 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1:15 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, 7 pm
- The last swing for the 2024 navigation season will be on November 22, 2024 at 7 pm
Exceptions
- The bridge will not open on the hour when the 10-minute average wind speed, 10 minutes prior to the hour, for example, 1:50 pm, exceeds 30 km/hr. If it did not open on the hour, it will open at the half hour, for example, 3:30 pm, if the 10-minute average wind speed 10 minutes prior to the half hour, for example, 3:20 pm, is 30 km/hr or less
- The bridge will not open to navigation in the event of a land-based emergency
Opening on demand
- The bridge will open on demand for any water-based emergencies when the wind speed is 30 km/hr or less
- In the event of a land-based emergency and water-based emergency occurring at the same time, the land-based emergency will be dealt with first and then the bridge will be opened to accommodate the water-based emergency
Bridge status and wind speeds
The Wasauksing Swing Bridge is equipped with electronic signs displaying current average wind speeds, which are updated every 30 minutes.
For up-to-the-minute information on wind speeds and bridge status, call the bridge operator directly at 705-746-9620, or tune in to VHF channel 6.
For all other inquiries, call our public information line at 807-624-5900.