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Overhead view of downtown streets

Macdonell Bridge and Allan's Structures survey

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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Recommended Solutions

The following recommendations are proposed for each structure identified in the environmental assessment and inform an overall recommended solution.

  • Macdonell Bridge – Replace with a wider bridge that can also accommodate active transportation such as cycling and walking with a multi-use path.
  • Allan’s Dam Bridge - Remove the bridge entirely and find opportunities to honour the heritage of the bridge.
  • Allan’s Dam Sluiceway and Spillway - Repair and rehabilitate the Sluiceway and Spillway
  • Ward to Downtown Bridge- Construct a new structure exclusively for active transportation on the south side of Guelph Junction Railway (GJR) rail bridge with a simplified design based on the one previously proposed.


This survey will address each of the above structures on separate pages, exploring your feedback on both, the criteria used to evaluate options and the recommendations themselves. We value your feedback on each of the sections, however users are invited to skip any questions or sections if they are not of interest.