The Little Current Swing Bridge is the gateway to Manitoulin, providing the only land access to the island. The bridge was built in 1913 for the Algoma Eastern Railway. A railway-only bridge, it was kept in the open position (boats could pass through) at all times except when a train needed to go over. In 1945, the bridge was modified to take both rail and vehicle traffic.
In 1980, the railway tracks were removed from the bridge and it was modified again to serve vehicles only. The bridge is kept in the closed position (vehicles can go over) at all times except for the first 15 minutes of each hour from 7am to 10pm daily in June, July and August. The bridge can be opened for boats on demand in spring and fall. Large cruise ships regularly pass through the bridge. Because it has only a single lane, the bridge has a traffic light – the only one on Manitoulin.
The Little Current Swing Bridge has a been designated a Heritage Site by the Province of Ontario.
I grew up for 15 years in Little Current and thank goodness the swing bridge has been designated a Heritage site. Had it not, and instead been torn down, many memories would have been lost. I still have memories of the old coal Shute on Goat Island and all the activity going on when the coal boats came in to unload. Now when visiting, I look across the Chanel, and feel that something special is missing.