News Flash

A new chapter for the West Montrose Covered Bridge

Oct 6, 2026

A new chapter for the West Montrose Covered Bridge

For well over a century, the West Montrose Covered Bridge has been part of our landscape; a familiar red landmark stretching across the Grand River, a favourite stop for visitors and a connection to local history. 

Known as the “Kissing Bridge,” it connects the community of West Montrose in Woolwich Township. It is especially important for local residents, including members of the Mennonite community who travel by horse-drawn buggy or use the cycling trail.  

The bridge is one of Waterloo Region’s most recognized heritage structures. It’s also the last functioning covered bridge in Ontario. 

Now, this beloved landmark is getting the care it needs to remain part of the community for generations to come. 

The Region of Waterloo is rehabilitating the bridge to preserve its historic character and extend its life. Like any wooden structure that has weathered more than 140 years of changing seasons, the bridge has experienced age-related wear. The work underway will help protect it from future damage while respecting the craftsmanship and character that make it so special.

The project includes: 

  • Repairing and strengthening the bridge’s existing wooden trusses
  • Replacing worn or deteriorated roof and siding materials 
  • Removing the old steel support system that has helped stabilize the bridge in recent years 
An engineer in high-vis vest and white hard hat stands in front of the West Montrose Bridge.

A bridge in the air 

At the end of August, the project reached a major technical milestone. 

Using hydraulic jacks, construction crews raised the bridge onto a temporary steel support structure. The carefully-planned lift gives crews the space and access they need to begin working directly on the bridge’s wooden trusses. 

It also helps protect the bridge from potential flood risks while construction is underway. 

“It’s a major step toward completing the rehabilitation,” said Michelle Pinto, Project Manager for the Region of Waterloo. “This is one of those moments where the community can really see the work moving forward. It represents a lot of planning, engineering and careful construction methods coming together.” 

Raising the bridge required detailed engineering, specialized equipment and a construction approach designed around protecting the historic structure at every stage.

Looking up at the West Montrose Bridge from the Grand River, with construction supports visible.
Construction workers with high-visibility vests and hard hards work beside the West Montrose Bridge over the Grand River.
Construction crews work near a pick-up truck at the entrance to the West Montrose Bridge.
The West Montrose Bridge over the Grand River, with construction scaffolding beside it.

One piece at a time 

Now that the bridge is safely supported, crews can begin carefully restoring its individual elements. 

“They’re going to go piece by piece and repair, strengthen, replace as necessary,” Pinto said. “Things will start to look a bit different on-site. They’re going to be removing the roof, the siding, and then they’re going to start working on the wooden truss.” 

This is a highly unique project. With a modern bridge, the project team would likely be working with complete drawings and standardized materials. That’s not the case with a historic timber bridge. Every piece has to be understood carefully, and conditions can often only be discovered as the work is in progress. The project team must adapt as they go. 

Protecting a local landmark 

The rehabilitation is expected to continue into spring 2027.  

With the bridge now successfully lifted, work can continue to preserve an important piece of Waterloo Region’s history so it can be part of the community’s story for years to come. 

To see project updates, visit the Region of Waterloo’s West Montrose Covered Bridge construction page.