SUBMITTED
On June 17, Lanark County officially cut the ribbon to reopen the newly replaced Blakeney Bridge in Mississippi Mills, with councillors and staff from Lanark County and Mississippi Mills on hand, as well as key contractors, community groups and members of the public.
The previous single-lane bridge, which crosses the Mississippi River between Almonte and Pakenham, was built in 1915 and has been replaced with a two-lane modular bridge. Mississippi Mills contributed funds to further widen the bridge to accommodate pedestrians. Work includes all new concrete abutments and piers. Looby Construction was contracted by the county to complete the work.
“This modular bridge provides the residents of Mississippi Mills with a safe and economically efficient crossing,” said Lanark County Warden Toby Randell (Carleton Place Mayor). “We are grateful to our public works staff and contractors for their work to bring this project to completion, and to Mississippi Mills Council for its contribution to increase safety for pedestrians using the bridge.”
The project took place over two years, beginning with engineering work by Gemtec Consulting Engineers and Scientists to conduct a foundation investigation in early 2023 leading to recommendations for the new foundation design. Keystone Bridge Management began the detailed design in September of that year, and that December the county awarded a contract for the supply of the new modular bridge to ACROW Ltd.
The bridge was closed in July 2024 and was originally scheduled to reopen in December, but unseasonable precipitation and elevated river flows affected the progress of essential construction work in the water. Remaining work was completed this spring.
“Looby Builders (Dublin) Ltd. was thrilled to be awarded the contract for replacing the Blakeney Bridge,” said Jon Vallieres of Looby. “Despite delays due to high water levels, the County of Lanark team collaborated effectively with Looby Builders to devise a mutually agreeable strategy for completing the project. Looby Builders is proud to contribute to enhancing the infrastructure for the residents of the beautiful Blakeney community.”
Director of Public Works Sean Derouin said using a prefabricated modular bridge has been a benefit. “This process optimizes the efficient use of construction materials, reduces the amount of waste that is generated, lessens time needed for construction and road closures and reduces disturbances to the local environment.”
“Keystone Bridge Management is most pleased with the outcome of this project and grateful to Lanark County for their confidence in us to deliver the design,” added Harold Kleywegt of Keystone Bridge Management.
