Piece of concrete that fell from Bronson Bridge onto Rideau Canal Skateway a minor localized issue, city says

Workers erect scaffolding under the Bronson Avenue Bridge over the Rideau Canal Skateway. Jan. 19, 2026. (Brad Quinn/CTV News Ottawa)

Workers erected scaffolding under the Bronson Avenue Bridge Monday to repair a “minor, localized issue” with concrete that forced part of the Rideau Canal Skateway to close on Sunday.

The City of Ottawa says a piece of concrete fell from the Bronson Bridge onto the ice of the Rideau Canal Skateway, which prompted the city to limit access near the bridge.

“Crews are on-site (Monday) to implement mitigation measures on the underside of the Bronson Avenue bridge at the Rideau Canal Skateway,” said Susan Johns, director of Asset Management Services in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “The area beneath the bridge has been closed to allow this work to proceed safely. The bridge remains safe with no concerns regarding its structural integrity. While there is currently no estimated completion timeline, the City will provide updates to the NCC as work progresses.”

In a post on social media Sunday morning, the National Capital Comission said access on the skateway would be limited near the Bronson Bridge to allow city workers to complete an inspection on the structure.

According to the city, a small piece of concrete fell from the bridge, though inspections from city staff and a structural consultant found that it was caused by a minor localized issue.

“The bridge is safe with no concerns regarding its structural integrity,” Carina Duclos, director of infrastructure services wrote in a statement to CTV News. “The City is coordinating with the National Capital Commission, and out of an abundance of caution the nearby area on the Skateway has been fenced off.”

On Sunday afternoon, the ice was fenced off on both sides of the bridge, and skaters were being allowed through single file.

“As a precautionary measure, a City contractor will be on-site early Monday morning to carry out mitigation measures, currently being assessed, to prevent any further falling debris,” Duclos wrote.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App