LAURIE WEIR
SMITHS FALLS — Smiths Falls council has chosen a natural fieldstone veneer for the new Confederation Bridge, marking one of the final design decisions in a project that remains on schedule for completion later this fall.
At the Sept. 2 meeting of council, Public Works and Utilities Director Paul McMunn presented three options for the stone cladding that will cover the concrete pedestals supporting the bridge’s laminated wood arches: natural stone veneer, $42,000; natural fieldstone veneer, $57,000, or salvaged stone from the former water treatment plant, $157,000.
Contractor StructureCraft, which included a $25,000 allowance for the work in its original bid, committed to absorbing the higher Ontario market costs for either option one or two. Owner Gerald Epp personally favoured the fieldstone, McMunn said.
Council backed option two unanimously, saying the look fit the bridge design while avoiding additional costs.
“Ideally, if the cost was the same, I would have supported using the old treatment plant stone,” said Mayor Shawn Pankow. “But based on the significant difference, it doesn’t make sense. That stone can still be used elsewhere.”
Councillors suggested the salvaged stone could be incorporated into landscaping, commemorative features, or a future redevelopment of the Old Mill Road site.
Confederation Bridge removal
At council’s previous meeting, McMunn reported that the old bridge was removed successfully in two sections using a 150-tonne crane. Excavation for new footings and abutments began the week of Aug. 15. Harder-than-expected rock caused about a half-week delay, but McMunn said the project remains on track to wrap up in late October or early November.
The town’s share of Confederation Bridge replacement is just under $3 million, after cost escalations from tariffs, lighting upgrades, and Hydro One electrical requirements pushed the total beyond the original $2.1 million budget. Despite the increases, the project remains within its approved funding envelope.
Much of the cost is covered through a mix of federal and provincial infrastructure grants, along with municipal reserves. As of mid-2025, about $48,000 remained in contingency.
Heritage and future features
Sections of the old Confederation Bridge deck have been saved and may be repurposed as a heritage display near the new span, McMunn noted, complete with original rivets to show the construction techniques of the era.
Lighting plans are still under review with Parks Canada, but McMunn said he’d keep council up to date on the progress. Installation of the lights could occur before the project is completed, he said.
The next milestone is the arrival of the glulam beams, which are the laminated wood arches manufactured in Alberta. These are expected in early September. The beams will be dry-fitted on Old Mill Road before a 500-tonne crane lifts the full span into place.
“That will be a day council may want to attend,” McMunn told councillors in August. “It’ll be quite a show.”
Related Article: Confederation Bridge project in Smiths Falls moving ahead despite minor delay
Photo: Confederation Drive Pedestrian Bridge
