OUR PEDESTRIAN WALKING BRIDGE NEEDS HELP!

We are a group of Town of Gananoque residents that is petitioning the Town Council to ask that they investigate the cost(s) to repair and rehabilitate the King Street Pedestrian Bridge and report back.

There are very good reasons NOT to destroy this bridge. We ask that you sign this “Save Our Bridge” petition.

Until it was declared a potential liability, the pedestrian bridge served as a perfect connection point, strolling route, viewing platform and even an arts and crafts location. As an original railway bridge from the Thousand Islands Railway, it is also an integral part of Gananoque’s history.

What is Happening

Gananoque Town council had a recent meeting where it was decided on a split vote to demolish the pedestrian walking bridge. Council has set aside $ 2.6 million to tear it down. At the moment, there is no consideration for repairing or replacing. Just removal. This attached petition asks the Town Council to investigate the cost to repair or rehabilitate the Bridge rather than destroy it.

Why is Council doing this

The law requires that bridges be inspected for safety every two years. At the last inspection some deterioration was found. A case has been made to council that “risk and potential liability” outweigh the benefits of preserving local history and continuing to provide a pedestrian pathway from the museums, businesses and residences of lower town to King Street.

Worth Knowing

The train bridge was built to carry very heavy trains and has stood for nearly 100 years. Repairs to accommodate “pedestrian only traffic” are very doable and likely for far less than $2.6 million for just removing the bridge and then having no pedestrian walkway at all.

This photo shows the Susan Push and combination passenger/manufactured goods car exiting the bridge in 1954 to pick up passengers at the Umbrella stop.

Development in Gananoque

Consultants to the Town of Gananoque determined over 10 years ago that there was a need to find ways of connecting current and future businesses, condo residents on the waterfront, and Mill Street growth with the King Street business zone. The railway bridge does exactly that for people walking or riding bikes.

What About the Swing Bridge and the concrete King Street car bridge? Don’t they provide access?

Both of these bridges provide a measure of access, but neither is as direct or safe. Neither is up to code for pedestrians. Both are too narrow for 2-way foot traffic particularly when wheelchairs and baby strollers are taken into account.

The concrete bridge is fundamentally dangerous to pedestrians when cars and trucks are only inches away and traveling at 50KPH. With the sharp 90-degree corner at the western end of the King Street bridge and King Street often serving as a Hwy 401 emergency detour including large trucks, this is a tragedy waiting to happen.

History

Old buildings and infrastructure create a visible connection with a community’s history and culture. They help bring the past alive to teach new generations of what makes the community unique.

The Jones Shovel Factory in 1890s

Gananoque in the 1800s was known as “The Manchester of Canada” with hundreds of products manufactured using the waterpower wheels of the Gananoque River. These products were shipped all over Canada by railroad. The pedestrian walkway bridge was a key part of the Thousand Islands Railway Company, enabling manufacturing and distribution, and all the associated jobs.

Manufacturing in Gananoque in 1860. The first train bridge can be seen mid-frame. It was replaced with the current bridge in 1927, nearly 100 years ago.

In 1892, what is now the Gananoque Inn, still operated as the Gananoque Carriage Company.

Up until 1962, people would board the train at the waterfront and ride north, up Mill Street and across the bridge, heading north for a stop at the Gananoque cemetery and then on to the Station Road CNR mainline. (Passenger service ended on Jan 15, 1962)

In 1919 a parade was held on the original King Street vehicular bridge. You can clearly see the original railway bridge and where the tracks cross King Street where the train would pick up passengers waiting at the “Umbrella”.

The Susan Push at Gananoque Junction with combo passengers & goods car.

Local artist, Heather Haynes, resident of Gananoque, and one of dozens of artists who believe in Saving Our Pedestrian Bridge.

Heather Haynes has displayed her artwork across Canada and the USA.

Here, our 100 year old railway pedestrian bridge provides a unique viewing venue for summer tourists.

Help Preserve Our King Street Pedestrian Bridge

Add your name!

Sign the petition and make your voice heard. Take action now!

Petition

By signing the petition, I hereby acknowledge that this petition will become a public document at the Town of Gananoque and that all the information contained in it will be subject to the scrutiny of the Town, and will be publicly available. Questions about the collection and disclosure of personal information contained in this petition should be directed to the Town Clerk, 30 King Street East, Gananoque, Ontario K7G 2T6.

We, the residents of the Town of Gananoque respectfully petition the Gananoque Town Council to investigate the cost(s) for the repair and rehabilitation of the King Street pedestrian bridge, otherwise known as the Thousand Islands Railway Bridge. 

Website produced by a team of Gananoque residents. Contributions and material provided by the Town of Gananoque Council Public Meeting notes, personal collections, and archive photos.

November 2024