Sioux Narrows Bridge — Context Sensitive Replacement of a Heritage Timber Truss Bridge

The Sioux Narrows Bridge in Northern Ontario was a 64m long timber truss structure originally constructed in the 1930's. It was located across a narrows on Lake of the Woods in the picturesque, historic community of Sioux Narrows in Northern Ontario and is owned by the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Transportation (MTO). It had been heralded as one of the longest single span timber bridges in the world. In light of its age and uniqueness the Province of Ontario listed the structure on the Ontario Heritage Bridge List [MofC 1983]. In 2002 the bridge was discovered to be in a state of progressive collapse and a decision was ultimately made to replace it. From a planning and engineering perspective the heritage designation required the project team to consider heritage and aesthetic issues as an integral component when examining alternatives to address the structural deficiencies. The final solution was one where the original heritage features of the bridge were preserved while at the same time providing a new, durable and highly functional bridge.