Little Current Swing Bridge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Little Current Swing Bridge
Viewed from the southwest in 2019
Coordinates	45°58′49″N 81°54′50″W / 45.98028°N 81.91389°W / 45.98028; -81.91389
Carries	Highway 6
Crosses	North Channel (Lake Huron)
Locale	Little Current, Ontario
Maintained by	Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Characteristics
Design	swing bridge
History
Opened	1913

The Little Current Swing Bridge is a special kind of bridge in Ontario, Canada. It's called a swing bridge because a part of it can swing open. This allows boats to pass through the water below.

This important bridge is found in a community called Little Current. It connects Manitoulin Island to the mainland, making it the only way to drive onto the island.

What is a Swing Bridge?

A swing bridge is a type of movable bridge. It has a section that can rotate or "swing" horizontally. This movement opens up a path for ships and boats to sail through. When the bridge is closed, cars and trains can cross it.

The Little Current Swing Bridge helps Highway 6 cross a narrow water channel. This channel separates Manitoulin Island from a smaller piece of land called Goat Island.

The main part of the bridge that swings is about 112 meters (368 feet) long. It sits about 5.3 meters (17.5 feet) above the water. When it opens, it creates a wide path for boats.

Building and Using the Bridge

The construction of the Little Current Swing Bridge began in 1912. The main parts were built that year, and the bridge structure was put up in 1913.

The Algoma Eastern Railway first used the bridge for trains in October 1913. Later, in 1930, another railway company, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), took over the bridge.

How the Bridge Worked for Trains and Boats

At first, the bridge's swinging part was usually left open. This was so boats could always pass easily. It would only close when a train needed to cross.

In 1946, something big changed. The railway company and the Ministry of Transportation agreed to let cars use the bridge too. After this, the bridge was usually kept closed. This allowed both trains and cars to cross. A CPR worker was always there to open the bridge if a boat needed to go through.

Changes Over Time

In the 1980s, trains stopped using the bridge to Little Current. The railway tracks were later removed in the 1990s. Now, the Little Current Swing Bridge is only used by cars and trucks. It's a reminder of the island's railway history.

Today, the bridge mostly stays closed for road traffic. But during spring, summer, and fall, it opens for 15 minutes at the start of every daylight hour. This lets boats pass. At night and in winter, it stays closed all the time.

The way the bridge swings open was updated in 2003. It used to run on a gasoline engine, but now it uses an electric motor.

Traffic on the Bridge

Because the bridge only has one lane for cars, it has traffic signals at each end. These lights help control traffic flow. The signals on the Little Current side are the only traffic lights on all of Manitoulin Island!

From mid-October to early May, a ferry called the MS Chi-Cheemaun doesn't run. During this time, the Little Current Swing Bridge is the only way for cars to get to Manitoulin Island.

The bridge is considered an important heritage site in Ontario. Studies began in 2018 to plan for a new bridge. This is because the current bridge's parts are getting old and worn out. In 2021, plans were announced for a new two-lane swing bridge. It will be built just west of the old one.

Images for kids

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  Little Current Swing Bridge (open position) looking east, from Town Dock, 2006

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  Little Current Swing Bridge (closed position) looking east, from Town Dock

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  Group photo of the construction crew around the time of completion