Pedestrian bridge work to begin
Courtesy Mohawk Council of Kahnawake
A long-envisioned plan to install a pedestrian bridge on Kateri Tekakwitha Island is heading into its next phase, with construction scheduled to start at the end of this month.
The project, which is being funded entirely by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) was approved at the end of last year. The bridge will run parallel to the existing vehicle bridge and will be conducted by Rice Mohawk Steel.
Lynne Norton, one of the organizers of the annual Echoes of a Proud Nation Powwow, which took place last weekend on the island, said that the bridge will help with accessibility and address safety concerns about mixing foot traffic and vehicles.
“It’s a long time coming,” Norton said. “It would be good, this way we could have two-way traffic on the (existing) bridge, because right now we can only do one, and that would make things a lot easier.”
The planning for the bridge project dates back to 2020, when a study commissioned by the SLSMC under the Recreation Bay project recommended a separate pedestrian structure, finding that the existing bridge posed safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists.
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Paul Rice said the pedestrian bridge will be especially beneficial during major events on the island.
“This pedestrian bridge represents a major step forward in ensuring safe access to Kateri Tekakwitha Island for our community members, especially during peak periods like last week’s powwow,” Rice said. “I’m very pleased that this project will be funded and coordinated by SLSMC, while also creating opportunities for our local contractors.”
The project has been overseen by MCK chief Arnold Boyer, the lead portfolio chief for infrastructure, transport, and operations.
Rice emphasized that the project won’t involve giving up any land, and that after construction is complete, the site will be restored to its original condition, with the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office (KEPO) monitoring work to minimize environmental impacts.
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“This land remains ours, and this initiative is about safety and opportunity for all who visit Kateri Tekakwitha Island,” Rice said.
No road closures are anticipated during construction.
