Project Updates
Enabling Works Now Underway
Posted: September 2026
Enabling works continue on the QEW Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning Project. While the bridge itself won’t begin construction until 2027, a critical phase of preparatory work — known as enabling works — is happening on site now. This page explains what is underway, what residents and commuters can expect to see, and how the project team is managing impacts to the community through the summer.
What are Enabling Works?
Typically, enabling works are the essential preparatory activities that must be completed before significant construction can begin. Think of them as setting the stage: clearing the site, confirming ground conditions, moving underground utilities, and building the access infrastructure that construction crews will rely on throughout the project.
These activities do not involve work on the bridge itself, but they are necessary to keep the project on schedule for bridge construction to begin in 2027.
What Has Been Completed on Site?
The following stage one enabling works activities are approaching completion:
Vegetation & Tree Clearing
Removal of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation within the construction footprint to allow equipment access and geotechnical work. Clearing follows environmental protocols; where required during nesting season, it is supervised by a qualified Avian Biologist.
Geotechnical Investigations
Drilling of boreholes at key locations to confirm ground and soil conditions, which informs the design of bridge foundations. This work involves drill rigs and may be visible from the QEW and adjacent roads.
Utility Relocations
Several underground and overhead utilities need to be relocated to make way for the new bridge footprint. This work is coordinated with utility companies and is expected to continue through 2026. Utility companies will directly inform impacted residents and businesses in advance of works affecting their property.
What Is Happening on Site Right Now?
The following stage two enabling works activities are currently underway or starting in the coming weeks:
Security Fencing
Provide, maintain, and relocate site security fencing as required to prevent public entry into the enabling work area.
Erosion & Sediment Controls
Installation of silt fencing, sediment traps, and other measures to protect the Welland Canal and nearby watercourses from construction runoff.
Full Closure of Queenston Road
Installation of traffic management measures and signage to manage public traffic and on-site construction related traffic.
Spraying, Cutting, and Disposal of Phragmites and Japanese Knotweed
Applying approved herbicides, removing vegetation and rhizomes, managing soils and plant material.
Access Roads, Drill Pads & Crane Pads
Construction of temporary access roads, crane/drill pads, and laydown areas that will be used by construction crews and equipment throughout the project. Including removal of material and installation of drainage features to facilitate the work.
East Abutment Embankment Preload
Large fill placement to allow settlement before bridge construction; ~1 year to settle
Will This Affect Traffic on the QEW or Local Roads?
At this stage, construction activity is occurring away from the QEW highway corridor. Some activity may be visible from the QEW, but traffic lanes will not be affected.
There may be minor impacts to some local roads near the project area during utility relocation and access road construction. Advance notice of any planned disruptions by SBP will be provided through:
- Traffic Disruption Notices (TDNs) sent to registered stakeholders
- Postings on this website at www.qewgcs.ca
- Signage in advance of and during any closures
- Email updates — sign up to receive notices at www.qewgcs.ca
In the case of work by utilities, notice may be provided direct to the affected address directly by the utility company.
Transport Canada Navigation Protection Program Public Notice
The project is constructing a new pier protection system for the bridges in the Welland Canal. This work will start in the off season when there is no water in the canal. The project requires federal approval to commence this work. A notice has been posted on the Transport Canada website as of August 29th, 2026, and will remain for at least 30 days to receive stakeholder comments to the proposal.
To view the full public notice, download the PDF below:
Transport Canada Navigation Protection Program Public Notice
How to Comment
We invite you to submit comments online through the online Common Project Search site ( https://common-project-search.canada.ca/). To do so, enter the registry number (15347) or the NPP file number (2011-400361), select the corresponding result, and follow the instructions. Alternatively, comments can be mailed or emailed to:
Transport Canada – Navigation Protection Program (NPP)
100 South Front Street, 1st Floor
Sarnia, ON N7T 2M4
Please include the NPP file number 2011-400361 in any mailed or emailed correspondence.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Comments will only be considered if they are in writing (electronic or mail) and received by the deadline. The Navigation Protection Program may communicate with you to obtain additional information on your comments.
- Transport Canada does not publish comments submitted through the Common Project Search site or mailed to the Navigation Protection Program (for more information refer to https://nwar-rlen.tc.canada.ca/privacy-confidentialite).
- However, comments submitted online or by mail are considered public record. As such, they are subject to the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act and are accessible through Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) requests. This means the information you provide should not contain confidential or sensitive information since it could be disclosed (for more information refer to https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/access-information-privacy/access-information/request-information.html).
How Is the Project Managing Environmental and Community Impacts?
SBP’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is active throughout enabling works. On-site Environmental Inspectors are present to ensure all mitigation measures are properly installed and maintained. Key measures include regular dust suppression, stormwater management practices, erosion and sediment control measures, noise monitoring near a Great Blue Heron colony located north and east of the Welland Canal, and wildlife mitigation protocols.
SBP is committed to keeping the community informed and addressing concerns as they arise. If you have a question or concern about work in your area, please contact us:
- Email: info@skywaybridgingpartners.com
- Phone: 289-932-4119
- Website: www.qewgcs.ca (comment submission form available)
Current Traffic Impacts
Dieppe Road – Well Monitoring
Expected Start Date: September 03, 2026
Expected Duration: Approximately three 30-minute windows
Hours of Work: 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
What is happening
- Short duration lane closures will occur at three locations on Dieppe Road, from west of Bunting Road to Export Avenue.
- Minor traffic impacts are expected.
- The work will require temporary shoulder and lane impacts. Travel in both directions will be maintained during this work. Traffic Control personnel will be on hand to assist.
- SBP has attained access to well technicians who became available this week to perform specific works.
For the full notice, download the PDF notice below.
Dieppe Road – Construction Notice – Well Monitoring Work – September 2026
Queenston Road and Coon Road Construction Closure
Effective June 22, 2026, Queenston Road (between Airport Road and Niagara Stone Road) and Coon Road will be closed to through traffic to support construction works for the QEW Garden City Skyway Bridge Twinning Project.
Traffic impacts include:
- Westbound traffic on Queenston Road will terminate at Airport Road
- Eastbound traffic on Queenston Road will terminate at Niagara Stone Road
- Coon Road will be closed as part of the construction scope
- Detour routes will be in place via York Road, connecting at Airport Road (east) and Niagara Stone Road (west)
- Portable Variable Message Signs (PVMS) will be in place from June 10 onward
- Drivers are encouraged to allow extra travel time. Clear signage and traffic control personnel will be present to assist.
For the full notice and detour map, visit: www.qewgcs.ca or download the PDF notice below.
Future Traffic Impacts
Components of the proposed design that will impact traffic include:
- Realignment of municipal roads including portions of Dieppe Road, Dunkirk Road, Queenston Street, York Road, Niagara Stone Road, Taylor Road, Coon Road, Queenston Road.
- Minor changes to the speed-change lanes of the eastbound on-ramp and westbound off-ramp will be done at Niagara Street Interchange and the westbound on-ramp and eastbound off-ramp to Glendale Avenue at the Glendale Avenue Interchange.
- The eastbound on ramp and westbound off ramp at the Niagara Interchange will be modified to accommodate new continuous auxiliary lanes (i.e. truck-climbing lanes).
- East of the Welland Canal, the Glendale Avenue Interchange eastbound off-ramp and westbound on-ramp speed-change lanes will be modified to accommodate the new continuous auxiliary lanes (i.e. truck-climbing lanes).
During construction this website will be kept up to date with current road closures and detours.
MTO and IO recently consulted with Niagara Region, the City of St. Catharines, and Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and received recent traffic flow data and construction standards to better inform project planning for the affected roadways.
Information has also been obtained from the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation and the Niagara District Airport to ensure construction meets necessary requirements that will ensure continued aircraft and vessel passage.
Where Can I Learn More?
More details about project plans are available, contained in the following presentations to government stakeholders, local businesses, the public and other stakeholders.
- Business Open House — July 28, 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m. | This presentation contains valuable information for businesses near the project area. See what was presented: Business Open House Boards
- Virtual Public Information Centre — May 6, 2026, 4:00–6:00 p.m. | See what was presented and provide feedback during the Comment Period open until May 20: Virtual Public Information Centre Material