City Skyway Twinning Bridge Project to Reinforce Ontario’s Trade Corridor
In a significant move for transport infrastructure in Southern Ontario, Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) have entered into a Development Phase Agreement with Skyway Bridging Partners for the highly anticipated QEW Garden City Skyway twinning project.
This ambitious endeavour will see the construction of a second parallel span across the Welland Canal, reinforcing one of the most crucial transportation corridors in the Niagara region.
The announcement comes on the heels of an extensive procurement process, which culminated in the selection of a robust multidisciplinary consortium to lead the charge. The development partner, Skyway Bridging Partners, is a formidable alliance of engineering, construction, and infrastructure experts:
- Applicant Lead: Flatiron Dragados Canada Inc., Construction Demathieu & Bard Inc., Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.
- Primary Design Team: Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) Inc., GHD Ltd.
- Construction Team: Flatiron Dragados Canada Inc., Construction Demathieu & Bard Inc., Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.
The project, dubbed the City Skyway Twinning, involves building an approximately 2.2-kilometre-long bridge that will run parallel to the existing Garden City Skyway. Strategically located between St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake, the new bridge will help alleviate congestion, improve safety, and bolster the region’s economic and logistical capacity.
A strategic corridor gets a long-overdue upgrade
Serving as a vital link on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), the Garden City Skyway has long been a pinch point for traffic heading in and out of the Niagara Peninsula. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the existing bridge has seen steadily rising traffic volumes due to population growth, trade expansion, and booming tourism.
The new twin span is designed to address these challenges head-on. Once complete, the parallel bridge will help balance traffic loads between the two structures, reduce maintenance pressures on the original skyway, and futureproof the corridor for decades to come.
The importance of the QEW corridor to both regional mobility and international trade is hard to overstate. Not only does it connect the Golden Horseshoe to the United States via the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, but it also supports the seasonal surge in tourism heading toward Niagara Falls and wine country.
Planning with precision
Under the newly signed Development Phase Agreement, Skyway Bridging Partners will now spend approximately 19 months advancing design and construction planning, obtaining required permits and environmental approvals, project finance, and developing risk mitigation strategies.
This pre-construction phase is expected to include:
- Detailed engineering and design work
- Environmental assessments and impact studies
- Consultation with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders
- Construction phasing and traffic management planning
- Cost estimating and value engineering
The outcome of this phase will determine the final terms of the Project Agreement. IO and MTO retain the option to proceed to the construction phase with the same team once all criteria are satisfactorily met.
Collaboration and community
While the engineering challenges of twinning a skyway bridge are considerable, equally important is the collaborative spirit that has shaped this initiative.
IO and MTO have committed to close engagement with municipalities, Indigenous groups, and local communities throughout every phase of the project. The development phase will provide ample opportunity for dialogue, ensuring the bridge aligns with broader economic, social, and environmental objectives.
This commitment echoes a broader trend across Canadian infrastructure development: prioritising inclusion, sustainability, and transparency at every step. With projects of this scale and complexity, it’s no longer just about pouring concrete—it’s about building trust.
Technical backbone
The project draws upon an experienced team of Canadian and international infrastructure leaders:
- Flatiron Dragados Canada Inc.: Known for large-scale infrastructure across North America, with a proven track record in complex bridge construction
- Construction Demathieu & Bard Inc.: A global player with expertise in bridgeworks and civil engineering
- Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.: Specialists in heavy civil infrastructure with a strong local presence
- Arcadis Professional Services (Canada) Inc.: Global design and consultancy for natural and built assets, focused on sustainability and innovation
- GHD Ltd.: A multidisciplinary firm providing design, engineering, and environmental services across transport, water, and energy sectors
This seasoned team is expected to bring not just technical skill but also innovative solutions to meet the project’s evolving demands.
Economic impact and resilience
Beyond easing traffic congestion, the new bridge promises to deliver broader economic and regional benefits. It will create hundreds of skilled jobs throughout the lifecycle of the project and support local suppliers and subcontractors.
Moreover, by improving transport reliability and reducing delays on the QEW, the project is set to enhance productivity for industries across Ontario, including manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
In a climate-conscious world, infrastructure resilience is paramount. The design team is expected to integrate climate adaptation strategies to ensure the structure stands the test of time and weather. From snow load considerations to flood resilience and corrosion protection, every detail matters.
A step closer to a smarter, connected future
Canada’s infrastructure renewal efforts are gradually shifting away from piecemeal repairs toward long-term, high-impact upgrades. The City Skyway Twinning project is a prime example of that evolution in thinking.
As the development phase unfolds over the next year and a half, eyes across the province—and the country—will be on Niagara. It’s not just about another bridge. It’s about what the bridge represents: growth, opportunity, and the kind of forward-looking planning that sets a nation on course for sustainable success.
“The QEW Garden City Skyway is a lifeline for the Niagara region. This twinning project is a vital investment in safety, capacity, and long-term mobility” said a spokesperson from Infrastructure Ontario.
“We’re proud to have brought together a team with the experience and innovation needed to deliver a legacy project for Ontario” added a representative from Skyway Bridging Partners.
Full Steam Ahead for Ontario
With the Development Phase Agreement in place and a world-class team onboard, the QEW Garden City Skyway Twinning is on a clear path to success. It’s a bold stride forward for Ontario’s infrastructure ambitions and a sign of the province’s commitment to getting ahead of tomorrow’s challenges.
The road to the future, quite literally, is taking shape across the Welland Canal.
