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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

Detailed design process begins in 2025

November 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026

The Environmental Assessment findings and recommendations are in front of Committee of the Whole in October 2025. Council approved the staff recommendations on October 28, 2025. The 30-day review period begins November 6 and will finish on December 8 2025. Check out the presentation with recommendations or the report for more detail.

After December 8 the EA process will close, and we'll begin into the design phase of this project.

There will be more opportunity to share your thoughts and feedback with us throughout the design process. Sign up to follow this project and stay on top of our engagement activities.

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