In addressing traffic flow and capacity, Niagara Region in replacing the 59-year-old J.R. Stork BridgeRegional Road 38 (Martindale Rd) – Replacement of J.R. Stork Bridge (Structure 038205) Over Richardson’s Creek in the City of St. CatharinesStatusAwardValue$6.8MLocationMartindale Rd, St Catharines ONSectorPublic – CountyTypeBridges / Tunnels · New ConstructionData as of June 11, 2026View Project Page → in St. Catharines, Ont.
Constructed in 1967, the bridge has one lane in each direction with a sidewalk on the east side. After an analysis of the structure in 2019, a replacement was recommended.
Located on Martindale Road in St. Catharines, the bridge is approximately 1.1 kilometres north of the Queen Elizabeth Way. It carries Martindale Road over Martindale Pond/ Richardson Creek.
As well as a complete replacement of the existing structure, the project also includes the reconstruction of the approaching roadways on either side.
Rankin Construction is the contractor of the project that is being co-ordinated with Niagara Region’s Water and Wastewater Division, as it includes replacement of the existing watermain crossing under Richardson Creek.
The timeline is:
- 2019 – detailed design got underway
- 2024-2025 – permanent relocation of existing hydro poles and temporary relocation of other utilities mounted to the bridge structure
- Spring 2026 – tender issued.
- June 2026 – close Martindale Road and start construction.
- December 2026 – finish construction (weather permitting).
“This is a collaborative project between Niagara Region Transportation and Niagara Region Water and Wastewater. The City of St Catharines is a minor cost sharing partner in the project for the additional structure width required to provide a wider than existing sidewalk on the east side,” said Niagara Region senior communications specialist Jason Misner of the project that has a tendered construction value of $6.78 million.
The J.R. Stork bridge is one of 219 structures owned and managed by Niagara Region and provides key linkages to hundreds of kilometres of the Regional Road network to move goods and people across all communities.
“Niagara Region is committed to improving the local Regional Road network in order to ensure the safe and efficient travel of people and goods throughout the area, and a project like the replacement of J.R. Stork bridge fulfills that goal,” says Frank Tassone, director of transportation. “While we recognize a project of this size and scale can impact residents, we have a traffic management plan in place to ensure motorists can navigate this area as best as possible as crews work hard to improve and modernize infrastructure for the community.”
