StructureCraft

Spanning 50m (164ft) over the historic Rideau Canal, the Confederation Drive Pedestrian Bridge will provide a vital active transportation link for the residents of Smiths Falls.

We are honoured that StructureCraft was the chosen proponent to realize this iconic footbridge in the Town of Smiths Falls, Ontario, set for completion later this year.

The design, led by Gerald Epp, incorporates traditional materials such as timber, steel, and stone to integrate with the historical context of the Rideau Canal and complement the Town’s architecture. It features tapered glulam arches which support a doubly-curved metal roof and reach nearly 9m (30ft) above the bridge deck to clear-span the Rideau Canal.

Minimizing the project's environmental impact on the river and preserving the natural waterway, the clear span alignment eliminates the need for in-water works. The abutments are cast directly behind the existing canal walls, leaving them intact. Transitioning from timber to stone-clad concrete at the abutments, the arch design minimizes exposure of the lower timber.

This signature bridge, a carefully chosen combination of timber, steel, and stonework, provides a durable, sustainable contribution to the historic Rideau Canal, and a modern first of its kind in Ontario.

Client: Town of Smiths Falls
Structural Engineer and Design-Build Contractor: StructureCraft.
Landscape Architect: Fotenn Planning + Design
Environmental: Kilgour & Associates Ltd.
Geotechnical: Thurber Engineering Ltd.