Media Release - Town to Close Rail Bridge in Response to Recommendations

May 2, 2025

(GREATER NAPANEE, ON) – The Town of Greater Napanee will close the CN rail bridge that crosses the 401, following the recommendations of a citizen committee.

At the March 11, 2025, meeting of Council, members of the Town's Ad Hoc Trails Committee recommended that Council close but not remove the bridge as it presented challenges related to trespassing on private property.

The bridge also crosses a portion of the 401 that is identified for widening by the Province of Ontario, which would mean the bridge would no longer be long enough to span the distance of a widened 401.

As part of their recommendations, members of the Ad Hoc Trails Committee identified an alternative route for future trail development in Greater Napanee that would allow the trail to connect with the Cataraquai trail network.

The Committee’s recommendations included several phases of development such as trail connections in town and leading out of town which would eventually allow the Town’s trails to connect with the broader network.

Greater Napanee staff are currently preparing a report for Council’s consideration that would identify at a high level how the Town could respond to all Committee recommendations as well as associated workplans and budget implications. 

A detailed report on how the Committee’s recommendations would be implemented, which would include having the Town act as the lead in any trail development, is expected to come forward during the budget process.

The future of the rail bridge itself and what it may be used for has not been determined. Barriers to the bridge are anticipated to be in place by May 5, 2025. 

Media Contact: 

Kylie Huffman  

Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator  

Town of Greater Napanee 

T: 613-776-1116 

E: khuffman@greaternapanee.com  

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