New bridge will let people walk and cycle across the river in Mississauga

Construction begins Thursday on a new bridge over the Credit River in south Mississauga that’s expected to make getting around the Port Credit area easier for pedestrians and cyclists.

City of Mississauga officials said on Wednesday the new “active transportation bridge” is slated to take about 18 months to complete. When it opens to the public, it will span the river between Port Credit Memorial Park and the Port Credit Royal Canadian Legion just north of Lakeshore Road.

“Stretching right over the Credit River, this bridge will strengthen Mississauga’s pedestrian and cycling networks, improve access to the waterfront, trails and parks, create a key link to the Port Credit GO station and support active living by making walking and cycling more convenient,” city officials said in a project update this week.

City councillors and other project partners will be on site Thursday at noon for a groundbreaking ceremony during which the first “symbolic shovels” will dig into the ground.

In an online project update, Mississauga officials said the new bridge, when completed, will provide “a direct, safe route for walking and cycling between neighborhoods and Lakeshore Road.”

Another rendering shows a different view of the completed bridge. (Image: City of Mississauga)

Furthermore, officials pointed out, it will “connect trails in the Lakeshore Road corridor … and offer a direct and easy way to walk, cycle or skate to Memorial Park and the GO station and reduce demand for parking at these locations. This will free up parking for those travelling by car to the GO station.”

The bridge will be assembled in a fenced-off area near both the Royal Canadian Legion’s parking lot and Memorial Park, project leaders said, adding “once assembled, the bridge will be launched over the Credit River.”

The city’s Lakeshore Transportation Studies plan includes a series of interconnected infrastructure projects along Lakeshore Road, including a bus rapid transit route in east Mississauga and the pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the Credit River.

It also includes a “Lakeshore Complete Street” initiative that looks at options to improve the experience for people travelling along Lakeshore Road and Royal Windsor Drive from East Avenue (Lakeview area of Mississauga) to the Oakville border.  

City officials said earlier the huge endeavour will create stronger connections and support reliable transit across the city.