Ontario Construction News staff writer
Two modular steel bridges have replaced the century-old Blakeney Bridge over the Mississippi River, providing a permanent solution for a critical rural crossing in Lanark County.
The original single-lane bridge, built in 1915, spanned the river via two islands and had undergone multiple repairs, including a major rehabilitation in 2000. County officials sought a replacement that would be cost-effective, quick to construct, and adaptable to future community needs.
After reviewing similar projects in neighbouring townships, Lanark County awarded the contract to Acrow, an international bridge engineering and supply company. Acrow designed two modular panel bridges and worked with contractor Looby Construction on an innovative installation method. The longer two-span bridge was launched first using a cantilever method, while the single-span bridge was installed with a crane-assisted launch, minimizing the need for additional equipment and shortening the construction timeline.
One of the structures is a 15-bay bridge with a total length of 45.57 metres (150 feet), while the second is a single-span bridge measuring 27.36 metres (90 feet). Both bridges have a custom two-lane roadway width of 7.92 metres (26 feet), a crowned asphalt overlay deck, and are designed to handle Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code CL-625-ONT truck or lane loads.
“Acrow’s modular panel bridges proved to be an ideal solution for this project,” said Betul Oliver, Acrow’s Business Development Manager for Eastern Canada. “The versatility of our solutions on projects like this allows Acrow to accommodate a wide range of lengths, widths and strengths, and the ease and speed of assembly helps reduce overall project costs.”
Sean Derouin, Lanark County’s director of public works, said the company provided detailed information and budget estimates that helped the council make an informed decision. “Although high water levels delayed the bridge’s reopening, the assembly and installation went smoothly,” he said. “Throughout the project, Acrow worked in partnership with Looby Construction to provide consistent project support, and the County of Lanark is extremely satisfied with the outcome.”
The project highlights the potential of modular bridge systems, particularly for rural or remote areas where traditional construction can be more costly and time-consuming.
“Particularly for projects in rural or remote locations, Acrow’s compact modular bridging systems can offer a significantly superior alternative to traditional bridge construction, and we are delighted to have worked with Lanark County on this prestigious project in service to local communities,” said Oliver Radack, Acrow Canada’s director of business development and operations.
The bridges were opened in June 2025, restoring a vital transportation link for farmers, residents, and tourists in the area.
