July 10, 2026
At Algonquin Bridge, we’re all about connecting communities all ways. And “connections” was a recurring theme in various speeches, as the new Kinsmen Bridge and the adjoining Veterans Memorial Walkway were officially re-opened on July 2, 2026 in Tillsonburg:
- The mayor talked about restoring residents’ connection to downtown.
- The Legion president spoke about the new bridge’s role in connecting the community’s future to its past.
- And the Kinsmen representative highlighted how the bridge connected with the Club’s mandate of Serving the Community’s Greatest Need.
Among the 100 residents and dignitaries in attendance was Kinsmen representative (and engineer) Pat Carroll, who felt the town’s original estimate to replace the bridge was too high and took it upon himself to help find a better solution, seeking advice and an estimate from the Algonquin Bridge team.
As a result of his efforts, the final cost was much lower with an Algonquin solution. Plus, the town then had funds available for improvements to the walkway and to mount one of the original bridge’s steel piers as an interpretive display.
Algonquin Bridge also designed and supplied new steel support piers
The new Kinsmen Bridge replaces an aging 1888 railway bridge that had been converted for pedestrian use in the 1990s but had since deteriorated to the point of being declared unsafe. With up to 700 daily users, the vital connection to downtown was sorely missed and its replacement eagerly anticipated.
The replacement project involved refurbishing the original stone piers, creating new concrete caps and then installing Algonquin’s custom-designed steel support piers. The bridge itself was delivered in three 35 m sections along with the pier components, and the installation took approximately two weeks. At 105 m, this is Algonquin’s longest pedestrian bridge to date. The naturally weathering steel span features galvanized safety railings, steel grate decking and LED lighting.
With the reconstruction complete, this historic landmark is now ready to serve the community for many decades to come.
PHOTO GALLERY
-
Assembly of Algonquin’s new steel support piers -
Algonquin steel piers mounted to refurbished stone piers -
First community members to cross the new bridge -
Photo display was part of official opening -
New bridge connects Veterans Memorial Walkway -
Support pier from original bridge is now an interpretive display
