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Allan's Dam bridge as seen from Madconell

Downtown Renewal - Macdonell Bridge and Allan's Dam structures

A sub-project of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program

This component of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program explores four structures over and in the speed river near Downtown Guelph.

  • The Macdonell Bridge: Also known to many community members as Allan’s Bridge, and is a main route for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists travelling to and from Downtown Guelph. Constructed in 1963 and rehabilitated in 1988, the bridge is now in need of repair or replacement.
  • Allan's Dam Bridge: located at the Speed River immediately south of the Macdonell Bridge and under the railway tracks, this bridge has been closed due to structural issues and requires consideration for removal or repair.
  • Allan's Dam spillway and sluiceway: together making up the dam structure below the Allan's Dam Bridge, these structures work together to limit or release water flow along the river as needed.
  • The Ward to Downtown Bridge: Initially a stand-alone project, the potential for an added bridge over the Speed River to serve as an active transportation connection between the Ward neighbourhood and the downtown has been linked to this project so that water structures and connections are considered together in the future vision for infrastructure in the Downtown.

Learn more about the project background and process on Guelph.ca.

Who's Listening

Reg Russwurm

Reg Russwurm, Manager, Design and Construction

reg.russwurm@guelph.ca

Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller, Project Engineer

andrew.miller@guelph.ca

Andrew McGregor

Andrew McGregor, Senior Planner/Project Manager

AMcGregor@rvanderson.com

Tracy Suerich

Tracy Suerich, Community Engagement Advisor, City of Guelph

tracy.suerich@guelph.ca

For more information

Please contact one of our project team members if you have questions or comments or would like to be added to the project mailing list. You can also sign up on this page to follow the project and receive information about engagement opportunities.

Please note: This project began in an older version of our website. Some of the tools and information may appear different than originally designed.

Phases

Phases overview
Initial Planning phase 2021-2023
Macdonell and Allan Structures EA findings engagement
Under Review
Detailed design process begins in 2025
Construction on the bridges and water structures begin no sooner than 2028

Macdonell and Allan Structures EA findings engagement

December 9, 2024 - January 12, 2025

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us Guelph!

In December 2024 and January 2025, we asked the community to get involved by:

  • reviewing the information boards document to learn about the background and preferred options,
  • sharing feedback with us through our online survey
  • or contacting our project team directly

A summary of what we heard in this phase is now available. Watch for the next phase of this project coming later in 2025.

section seperator

We'd Like to Hear From You!

The Macdonell and Allan’s Structures Environmental Assessment (EA) is an important part of the Downtown Infrastructure Renewal Program. The EA is a study that looks at improvements and modifications to the Macdonell Street Bridge area as a whole, including connecting intersections and all three structures (Macdonell Bridge, Allan’s Dam Bridge and the Allan’s Dam Sluiceway and Spillway). We have extended this project to also explore a new pedestrian and cyclist crossing associated with the former Ward to Downtown Bridge project. The EA’s goal is to determine how to best address structural deficiencies identified in recent bridge inspections, while also enhancing road safety, operations, and connectivity for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit.

On December 9, the public were invited to provide feedback on the recommended solution for each structure as developed based on the findings of the study. We'd like to hear your perspectives, questions or comments, or about the Macdonell and Allan’s structures and Ward to Downtown Bridge. 

Please take a few minutes to complete this survey after reviewing the proposed recommended solutions. All comments will be part of the project record (except for personal information). Your feedback is important and will be carefully considered to help shape the final recommendations to Council.

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