The City of Brantford is moving ahead with a significant rehabilitation project for the historic Lorne Bridge, a key arterial route that has carried traffic across the Grand River since the early 20th century.
At a public meeting held Thursday at the Lions Park Auditorium, city officials confirmed that rehabilitation of the bridge will begin in spring 2026, with completion expected by winter of the same year.
The work will include concrete repairs, resurfacing, waterproofing, and expansion joint replacement—but no major structural changes, as recent monitoring confirmed the bridge remains structurally sound.
“There’s no concern about the strength rating,” said Jennifer Elliott, Director of Engineering Services for the City of Brantford, talking with BrantBlog.
“We lifted the winter weight restriction in late fall 2024. The work now is to bring the bridge into a state of good repair—concrete sidewalks, asphalt, waterproofing. It’s about safety and longevity”, she added.
The Lorne Bridge, in its current form, consists of three connected structures: the Lorne Arch Bridge, the Lorne Girder Bridge over the SC Johnson Trail, and the Lorne Bridge Pedestrian Underpass.
The bridge accommodates five lanes of vehicular traffic and sidewalks on both sides, serving as a crucial connection between West Brant and the city’s core.
The rehabilitation was recommended in the City’s 2022 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment of the Three Grand River Crossings.
The following year, Brantford hired engineering firm Doug Dixon and Associates Inc. to design the rehabilitation plan.
Structural monitoring was conducted from late 2023 to mid-2024, leading to the removal of the bridge’s 30-tonne winter load limit—saving the city an estimated $2 million in structural upgrades.
“This is an important project,” Elliott said.
“The bridge has been in place since the 1920s, and everything has a life cycle—our inspections identified the need for action”, she explained.
Ward 1 City Councillor Rose Sicoli emphasized the significance of the bridge for West Brant residents.
“Infrastructure has been a main issue for the community for many years,” she told BrantBlog.
“Making sure we have a safe and secure way in and out of West Brant is extremely important”, she declared.
Sicoli also highlighted the future expansion of the Veterans Memorial Parkway Bridge and new developments in the area. “We want to encourage people to cross the bridge into beautiful Ward 1.
We’ve got a new sports community center coming in 2026 and extensive trail networks connecting to Hamilton and beyond.”
The Lorne Bridge site has hosted river crossings since at least 1841, evolving through several structural forms over time, including a covered wood bridge and bowstring arch designs.
The current structure was built to handle increased traffic and modern demands, and city officials now say it is well-positioned to continue serving Brantford for decades to come—once essential repairs are complete.
Residents seeking more information or wanting to view the full Environmental Assessment report can visit the City of Brantford’s Three Grand River Crossings webpage.
