Signature Muskoka bridge officially under repair

Crews are installing a temporary support structure to be used during the re-construction of the Silver Bridge.

A nearly 100-year-old bridge that has been closed for more than a year is finally starting to get repaired.

The Silver Bridge in the heart of Bracebridge is officially under construction.

The District of Muskoka has started this next phase of work that involves installing a temporary support structure to be used during construction.

With construction underway led by Clearwater Structures Inc., the bridge is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2026.

Bridge timeline

Officials closed the bridge temporarily in January 2025 as a public safety measure, following a review of site conditions.

At that time, the District initiated a detailed structural review and rehabilitation plan.

According to the District, Town of Bracebridge had issues clearing snow on the bridge in January 2025.

The District said it had staff attend the site and noticed a shift in the bridge that wasn’t there during the last inspection in November 2024.

Officials brought in a senior structural engineer to analyze the shift and figure out next steps.

In May 2025, council approved District staff to spend up to $5 million in emergency expenditures to complete any necessary restoration work to the bridge.

The predicament became whether the bridge could withstand restoration or if it needed a complete overhaul.

What you need to know

While the bridge is undergoing repairs, it will remain closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

Detour routes are in place from the Main Street area. The District said drivers will experience minimal delays. It also stated Municipal 511 was updated with detour information to help keep Google Maps and Waze current.

While the construction is currently underway, work could be rescheduled due to weather conditions.

For more details and information on the Silver Bridge construction, go to the Engage Muskoka website.

The Silver Bridge was built in the late 1920s, serving as a significant structure for the town and a strong symbol of heritage and preservation.