​Effective immediately, the Town of Newmarket is closing the Queen Street Bridge over the railway tracks for public safety until further notice. This immediate action is based on the findings of the most recent site inspection completed by the Town’s Structural Engineer. The Town of Newmarket apologizes for the inconvenience and short notice on the closure; however, public safety is the Town’s top priority. Local and public access will remain available (using the detour routes noted in the map). 

Prior to the planned full replacement of this bridge in 2025 due to its age and condition, the Town began a regular inspection program to monitor and maintain public safety since 2021.  By the summer of 2022, in order to allow public access to continue on the Queen Street Bridge, the Town’s Structural Engineer recommended a 10-ton load restriction with signage indicating the load limit.

The Queen Street bridge has continued to see heavy truck traffic despite the load posting and has now deteriorated more rapidly than expected. As a result, the Structural Engineer has advised the Town to close the Queen Street Bridge immediately for public safety. 

Although the bridge was originally slated to be closed for the purpose of the full reconstruction next year as Phase 2 of this multi-year project, this is an earlier closure than first anticipated. The Structural Engineer and Town staff are investigating potential options that may allow for a safe, temporary re-opening of the bridge between now and its planned full closure in 2025. The Town will also accelerate the tendering process in an attempt to begin permitting and construction earlier during the latter part of 2024 if at all possible.

Members of the public looking to access Main Street or Prospect Street can use Davis Drive or Water Street. Detour signs will be in place to indicate the closure ahead of time for road users. Please see the detour map for more details. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we complete this important work to ensure the Queen Street bridge is safe for all to use. 

For future updates and more information, please visit heynewmaket.ca/queenbridge.