Hog's Back bridge reopens after week-long
Repairs
The trouble-plagued Hog's Back Swing Bridge reopened for business at 9 a.m. Friday, the National Capital Commission reported.
The bridge had been closed since July 23 for what the NCC called a malfunction with the hydraulic system.
“Repair work and troubleshooting has been completed and the bridge is now fully operational for all users, including motor vehicles and Canal navigation.”
Coun. Riley Brockington has been vocal about his disappointment in the bridge's performance, especially after the NCC completed a lengthy rehabilitation project on the crossing.
Brockington said he was happy the bridge was working again, but dismayed with the NCC's communication to the public about the problems.
“It takes forever to get information,” Brockington said Friday, explaining he had been asking the federal agency for details about the problem and any future closures of the bridge for additional fixes.
“I'm getting nowhere,” he said. “I'm not asking for special treatment. I just want the public to know what's going on.”
Brockington said businesses in the Hog's Back area were especially frustrated after suffering through a “trifecta” of economic tests, which have included the Hog 's Back bridge work, construction on Prince of Wales Drive and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The closures meant motorists needed to find another way to get between the well-trafficked roads and neighbourhoods on its east and west sides.
The bridge carries traffic on Hog's Back Road over the Rideau Canal and swings open to accommodate the passage of boats in the spring, summer and fall.