The Arlington Bridge closed in November 2023. We are not able to rehabilitate it and must remove it. Work to remove the bridge will begin in June 2026.
Updates
April 2026
We will start taking the Arlington Bridge apart in June 2026.
We will do this work in two phases.
Part A work includes the south end of the bridge from Logan Avenue to midway into the CPKC yard. We expect this work to last until October 2026.
We will reroute some traffic in the area of Logan Avenue and Arlington Street during this phase.
Part B will continue the bridge removal to the north at Dufferin Avenue. This work is planned to start in June 2027.
Videos
Arlington Bridge demolition: Drone footage as work gets underway – July 16, 2026
Arlington Bridge demolition gets underway
Damir Muhurdarevic is a Bridge Project Engineer with us. He is also the project manager for the decommissioning and demolition of the Arlington Bridge. He explains how the bridge is being taken apart in pieces in the video below. It was filmed on July 16, 2026 as the first piece was being removed.
Background
June 2019: City Council approved replacing the Arlington Street Bridge and listed it as a priority project but did not secure funding.
August 2023: An engineering study began to see if the bridge could be repaired and kept open until funding became available for a replacement.
November 2023: Engineers determined the bridge was structurally unsafe, and the City closed it immediately.
May 2024: Further investigation found that the bridge is too deteriorated for repair. The steel truss cannot support traffic or construction, and the concrete foundations cannot support a new bridge.
January 2025: Council funded removal of the old bridge and development of a new bridge design. The design will meet modern safety, design and accessibility standards.
The goal of the new bridge design is to:
- Build a new two-lane bridge with wide sidewalks so people can walk, bike, and get across safely, and businesses on both sides of the CPKC rail yard stay connected.
- Make the bridge ramps less steep so it is easier and safer to walk, ride bikes, or take transit, while keeping the bridge as short as possible.
- Upgrade the bridge so it is safe, meets modern standards, and will last at least 75 years.
- Improve nearby roads where needed.
- Limit the need to purchase private property.
- Keep trains running smoothly during and after construction.
- Help the community stay connected, encourage healthy travel, and support long-term growth for local businesses
Construction of the new bridge is not yet funded.
May 2026: Decommissioning and removal work began.
Pre-demolition
Behind-the-scenes work including assessments, planning, and stakeholder meetings.
May 2026Part A Demolition
June 2026 to October 2026Part B Demolition
June 2027
We permanently closed the Arlington Bridge in 2023 after a study showed it was in poor condition and could not be repaired or rebuilt on the same structure. In 2025 Council approved funding to remove the bridge and start design for a new one. Construction of the new bridge remains unfunded.
The bridge sits over an active rail yard. We are working closely with the railway to reduce disruptions to rail service while doing our work.
Crews will start taking down the bridge in summer 2026 and continue through the end of 2027.
There will be minor detours and road closures while crews remove the bridge. We will clearly sign and communicate traffic changes with the public. Safety is the top priority during this work.
We are currently designing the new bridge. Construction is not yet funded.
We are still developing the design. What we know is:
- The new bridge will be less steep
- It will be safer for walking, biking and transit.
- It will stay as short as possible and keep businesses on both sides of the rail yard connected
Removing the bridge will take about 18 months. We expect construction to take another 4-5 years once it's funded.
The latest cost estimate is $166.3 million. This amount includes $15.9 million to remove the old bridge.