The City of Winnipeg has officially begun dismantling the historic Arlington Bridge, with crews removing the first section of the structure on July 16 after more than a month of preparatory work.
City officials described the milestone as the beginning of a long-term effort to improve transportation connections and modernize Winnipeg’s bridge infrastructure.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said removing the aging bridge is the first step toward reconnecting residents, neighbourhoods and employment areas. He added that the project forms part of the city’s broader strategy to renew its network of more than 120 bridges.
Alongside the future replacement of the Arlington and Louise bridges, Winnipeg has already completed or is advancing upgrades to several key structures, including the St. Vital Bridge, Charleswood Bridge, Creek Bend Road Bridge, and overpasses along Pembina Highway and Lagimodière Boulevard.
The decommissioning and demolition project will be carried out in two phases.
The first phase began in early June and is expected to take approximately six months. During this stage, crews will remove the southern portion of the bridge, extending from Logan Avenue to roughly the midpoint of the CPKC rail yard.
According to the city, dismantling a century-old bridge that spans an active railway requires careful planning, advanced engineering expertise and close coordination to ensure the work is completed safely.
Councillor Janice Lukes, Chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works, praised the engineers and project teams involved, noting the complexity of removing a structure over an operational rail corridor while maintaining safety and efficiency throughout the process.
The city does not expect any full road closures during the first phase. However, motorists should anticipate intermittent traffic disruptions around the intersection of Logan Avenue and Arlington Street while work progresses.
Councillor Vivian Santos, who represents Point Douglas, acknowledged the historical significance of the bridge but said its removal marks the beginning of a new chapter for surrounding communities. She noted that the future replacement will provide a safer and more reliable connection between the North End, Point Douglas, and neighbouring areas for generations to come.
In 2027, the demolition work continues north toward Dufferin Avenue for the project’s second phase.
An engineering assessment in November 2023 found that the Arlington Bridge had deteriorated to the extent that it was no longer safe to be repaired or reconstructed on its existing foundation, and it was permanently shut down.
In January 2025, the City Council of Winnipeg approved $17 million to fund the decommissioning and removal of the bridge and $5 million to begin designing its replacement.
The City Council will discuss funding for the new bridge at a future date.
