Boats trapped by LaSalle Causeway could be freed later this month

Boats trapped by the damaged and closed LaSalle Causeway in Kingston, Ont., may be free again at the end of the month, according to the federal government.

The bridgewas damaged during repair workon March 30 and has remained closedsince, closing it to trafficand cutting offtour company vessels from the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario.

Officials from Public Services and Procurement Canada(PSPC)saidduring a press conference on Friday the company hired for $1.7 million to demolish and removethedamagedBasculebridge is expected to complete the temporary re-enforcement of the damaged bridge elementthis weekend.

That wouldallow for the demolition of the bridge's 600-toncounterweight next week, followed by the removal ofthecounterweight's supporting structures, and later the entire bridge.

Once the bridge is removed, the navigation channel is expected to reopen June 30.Officials from PSPCsaidfinishing the demolishingand removal sooner is a possibility.

"There is some optimism that we can accelerate that date. Obviously, we are not in a position to commit to a specific date at this time, but we're confident that we're tracking well on that piece," said Stefan Dery, director general of asset and infrastructure management withPSPC.

"This is all going to happen very quickly."

A temporary modular bridge is set to be built to allow vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists to cross.PSPCsaid it's still working on the details and timeline for thatstructure.

Stakeholders unhappy

The causeway opened over a century ago and isa key crossing between downtown Kingston and the city's eastern suburbs.

Stakeholders who attended Friday's meeting expressed concern over the lack of solid timelines, and how construction might impact marinenavigation.

John Ackert ofOntario Waterway Cruisessaid access to theRideau Canalthrough theLaSalle Causeway makes up 40 per cent of the company's business.

"We've already lost four Rideau cruises this year, we have four more starting mid-July and we're hoping we have access," he said.

Other attendeeswere upset over the lack of a timeline for a pedestrians and vehicles, with one describing the situation as "profoundly disruptive" to the lives of residents.