Waaban Crossing: A Historic Infrastructure Milestone

Funding provided under the Investing in Canada Plan.

A key lesson the city learned is just what it is capable of.

Spanning 1.2 kilometers over the Great Cataraqui River, the Waaban Crossing is the City of Kingston’s largest-ever municipal infrastructure project. This new two-lane bridge was designed with accessibility and sustainability in mind, incorporating multi-use pathways, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and connections to future waterfront trails. It was built to improve daily commutes for thousands of residents by connecting Kingston’s east and west areas with a more direct mid-town link while reducing carbon emissions across the road network.

The Waaban Crossing is the result of years of planning, including environmental assessments, transportation studies, and population growth projections. Public engagement played a crucial role in shaping the project, ensuring community input throughout the process. Officially announced on February 21, 2018, the project received $180 million in joint funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and the City of Kingston.

More than just an infrastructure project, the Waaban Crossing carries deep symbolic significance. The name was selected following over two years of community consultation on how to expand the stories and histories Kingston celebrates and recognizes. This process included specific consultation with Indigenous Nations with historical ties to the area along with interested members of the local Indigenous community, and non-Indigenous local residents.

Waaban is an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) word that has several meanings and interpretations relating to the eastern direction where the sun comes up, the dawn of a new day or the morning light. This word was put forward to represent both the natural environment that the bridge crosses, and as a hopeful metaphor, with Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians working together toward a better world for future generations. By embedding reconciliation into its identity, the Waaban Crossing stands as a meaningful step toward greater awareness, understanding, and respect for Indigenous heritage in Kingston and nationwide.

Beyond its role as a vital transportation link, the project had a significant impact on Kingston’s local economy and labour market. More than 320,000 hours of labour were dedicated to its construction, with 93 contracts awarded to local businesses. The contractors also contributed to the community by donating over $10,000 to local charities and volunteering more than 80 hours for community service initiatives. These investments strengthened relationships between businesses, workers, and residents, reinforcing the project’s role as a driver for local economic growth.

As Kingston continues to expand, the Waaban Crossing stands as a landmark of progress, cooperation, and reconciliation. More than just a bridge, it embodies a vision for a more connected, accessible, and inclusive city – one that honours its past while looking ahead to the future.

Quick facts:

• 3,300 tonnes of steel, 31,000 tonnes of concrete, and 365,000 tonnes of gravel were used to construct the bridge.
• The Waaban Crossing came to fruition after more than 50 years of discussion within the community.
• Receiving six awards to date, the project was recognized for its contributions to the engineering profession and local community development.

For more information, visit:

• News Release: Governments of Canada and Ontario take action to shorten commute times by investing in a third bridge crossing in Kingston
• Waaban Crossing – City of Kingston
• Investing in Canada Plan – Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Canada