The contracts have been granted to repair a busy bridge in downtown Hawkesbury.
On Monday, June 23, Hawkesbury council awarded the contract to KB Civil Constructors Inc. of North York for the rehabilitation of the Cécile Bridge on Main Street, in the amount of $668,976.99 excluding HST. Council also awarded the contract for engineering services for the administration and inspection of the Cécile Bridge rehabilitation project to Stantec Consulting Ltd. For $90,000 excluding HST.
The bridge, named after the late MPP, cabinet minister, and judge, was built in 1962 by John Gaffney Construction of Stratford and is currently in very poor condition. The rehabilitation project, which will begin late this summer, will consist of the reconstruction of the wings (walls, guardrail) as well as the complete reconstruction of the deck and roadway. The tendering process closed on June 5, 2025, and two bids were received.
Up to $2.5 million for the Cécile Bridge project had been allocated in the 2025 municipal capital budget. Council and staff were pleased with the much lower cost of the contract.
“We’re very agreeable with the price,” Treasurer Philippe Timbers said.
“It’s all good news,” commented Mayor Robert Lefebvre.
However, the bridge will be completely closed to all traffic during the construction project.
“Unfortunately, both lanes will be closed,” Director of Public Works Jonathan Wilson said in response to a question from Councillor Yves Paquette, who had asked if traffic will be reduced to one lane during the work.
Wilson said that due to the complexity of the nearby intersection of Main Street with McGill Street and Le Chenail Boulevard, and associated accident risk, it is better to close the entire bridge. He said the duration of the closure will be about three weeks and detour routes will be marked.
Wilson added that the Cécile Bridge project is also complex because the bridge also carries municipal water and sewer mains.
