Brant’s Crossing Bridge Replacement

Background

The Brant’s Crossing Bridge spans over the Grand River and is located on the Dyke Trail, a multi-use trail that connects Fordview Park and Brant’s Crossing Park.

Project Area

The bridge was originally constructed in 1875 for the purpose of conveying railway traffic. The original crossing was replaced in 1913 with the current structure. In 1996, the structure was converted from a railway to a pedestrian and cyclist bridge. In February 2018, following an ice jam event, the bridge was temporarily closed and later reopened in December 2021 following minor rehabilitation work.

 

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

In 2022, the City of Brantford completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), Schedule “C”, which recommended that Brant’s Crossing’s existing superstructure be replaced and raised. The Final Environmental Assessment Report for the Brant’s Crossing Bridge is available on the City of Brantford website.  

The purpose of this project is to replace the existing bridge superstructure with one that is:

• More versatile and accessible to pedestrian and cyclist traffic through a wider deck,
• Sustainable with the materials being used,
• Safer and more resistant to flooding/ice jamming by raising the bridge 1.1 meters (min.), and
• Creates a destination in Brantford by incorporating lighting and a lookout.

Design Phase

In fall 2023, the City retained WSP E&I Canada Limited, a structural engineering firm, to carry out a preliminary and detailed design of the Brant’s Crossing superstructure replacement and design of the removal of the Fordview Lookout structure from Fordview Park.

In March 2024, the City hosted an In-Person Public Consultation at City Hall for interested individuals to attend, with the opportunity to meet with the project team members, ask questions, and submit comments.

In October 2024, the detailed design of the project was completed. The construction tender was posted publicly on the City of Brantford’s Bid Opportunities page and closed on November 29, 2024.

Construction Phase

Construction began in spring 2025, and construction completion is anticipated in Fall 2026. During this time, Brant’s Crossing Bridge is closed to the public.  Additionally, both Fordview Park and part of Brant’s Crossing Park, including the trails, will also be closed to the public as needed during the construction period.

Pedestrian and cyclist detour routes are established using public roads and trails, as well as the Lorne Bridge to the north and TH&B Bridge to the south near Earl Haig Family Fun Park.

The City of Brantford will also be completing a road reconstruction on Icomm Drive, Brant Avenue, Hill Street, Dalhousie Street, and Colborne Street. This work will take place between spring 2025 and late fall 2026, and will include upgrades to the storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and watermain systems. For more details about the project, please visit the Downtown Revitalization Project.

The detour routes direct pedestrians and cyclists safely through and around the construction areas. The limits of construction and the pedestrian and cyclist detour routes are identified on signage around the project area during the Construction Phase to assist with detour navigation.

Repairs to the bridge’s concrete piers and abutments are complete.

The existing Brant’s Crossing Bridge spans were removed in fall 2025. New bridge spans were then fabricated off-site between fall 2025 and spring 2026.

The new bridge spans are expected to be installed in spring 2026. They will be placed on the extended concrete piers and abutments, creating the new crossing over the Grand River.

Once complete, the replaced bridge spans will include new and improved lighting and two lookout areas where visitors can stop and enjoy views of the Grand River. These features will enhance the Grand River crossing experience near the centre of the Hub of Ontario Trails.

Additional construction updates will be posted as the project continues.

Brant’s Crossing Bridge Featured on The Mightiest

The Brant’s Crossing Bridge removal was featured in the Canadian television series The Mightiest, Season 3, Episode 6: Colossal Construction.

The episode includes footage of the bridge span removal and the large crane used during construction. The featured crane is a 185-foot-tall Tadano crawler crane, which was used to remove the bridge spans.

The episode will also be available on Crave, the CTV App, Apple TV and Amazon Prime beginning May 6, 2026.

The Project Team

If you have any questions about this project, please contact us using one of the following methods:

• By Mail – please mail to City of Brantford Environmental Service Admin Building, Attn: Meagan Bergman, City of Brantford, 324 Grand River Avenue, Brantford, ON N3T 4Y8
• Phone – please contact the City at 519-759-4150 Ext. 5512
• By E-mail – please contact the Project Team

Project Funding

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.