Ontario awards construction contract for new Little Current Swing Bridge

LITTLE CURRENT—The Ontario government has named a construction manager for the Little Current Swing Bridge replacement project. The new bridge will replace the existing bridge on Highway 6 connecting Manitoulin Island to the mainland, providing reliable, year-round access to the provincial highway network and making it easier for workers and families to connect to jobs, housing and essential services.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is making historic investments to build and strengthen the highways and bridges northern communities rely on,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Replacing the Little Current Swing Bridge will protect this critical connection to Manitoulin Island, support good-paying jobs in the region and keep families.”
Located on Highway 6 in the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands, the existing 110-year-old bridge is the only road crossing to Manitoulin Island and a vital connection for residents, businesses and visitors. Last fall, the province awarded a detail design contract for a new two-lane swing bridge to maintain reliable, year-round access to Manitoulin Island. Construction of the new bridge will support good-paying local jobs, helping drive economic growth across the region.

“The Little Current Swing Bridge is a vital connection for Manitoulin Island residents, businesses, and visitors. As the Island’s only year-round road crossing, it supports access to jobs, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities across the region,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “Our government is proud to be taking another important step toward replacing this critical piece of infrastructure while preserving its iconic swing bridge design. This investment will help keep people and goods moving safely and reliably for decades to come, while protecting the unique character of this important gateway to Manitoulin Island.”

Today’s announcement builds on the government’s ongoing work to better connect Ontario’s communities, including a $31 billion investment to repair and expand highways, roads and bridges across the province. This includes major highway projects across Northern Ontario, such as upgrading Highway 17 from Echo Bay to Highway 548, four-laning the Trans-Canada Highway from Thunder Bay to Nipigon and from Kenora to the Manitoba border, and widening Highway 69 between Parry Sound and Sudbury.

“The Constable Marc Hovingh Minjimennikaade Memorial Bridge is a critical infrastructure to connect Manitoulin Island to mainland. This vital year-round corridor serves residents, businesses, visitors and transporters with a dependable and accessible route,” said Bill Rosenberg, MPP for Algoma – Manitoulin. “This investment by the Province of Ontario ensures a strong and prosperous future for Manitoulin Island and Algoma-Manitoulin.”

The government is investing more than $236 billion through its plan to build Ontario, including historic investments in road and highway infrastructure in Northern Ontario to support economic growth, help drivers get around safely and keep workers on the job.

Quick Facts

EllisDon has been named construction manager for the Little Current swing bridge project.
In September, the Little Current Swing Bridge was dedicated as the Constable Marc Hovingh Minjimennikaade Memorial bridge.
In 2026-27, the province is investing more than $600 million in highway projects across northern Ontario.
During peak summer months, approximately 4,500 vehicles rely on the Little Current swing bridge each day.

Quotes

"The Little Current Swing Bridge is much more than a transportation link it is an economic gateway connecting Manitoulin Island to markets, jobs and opportunities across Northern Ontario and the rest of the province. A modern, reliable crossing will strengthen the movement of goods and people, support Manitoulin’s tourism, agriculture and resource-based industries, and provide businesses with the certainty they need to invest and grow. Strategic infrastructure investments like this have an impact far beyond the construction itself: they lower barriers to economic activity, strengthen regional supply chains and help unlock the enormous economic potential of Northern Ontario. ORBA applauds the Ontario government for recognizing that building stronger transportation infrastructure is fundamental to building a stronger northern economy."
- Steven Crombie Senior Director, Public Affairs, Ontario Road Builders' Association

"Selecting a construction manager is another important step toward completing the replacement of the Little Current Swing Bridge. This critical connection will benefit year-round and seasonal residents while supporting tourism and economic growth on Manitoulin Island. Investments in Northern infrastructure, including this bridge and the four-laning of Highways 11 and 17, are essential to the safety, reliability and long-term prosperity of our communities, province and country."
- Dave Plourde President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM)

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Quick Facts

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