The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the new Kateri Tekakwitha Island pedestrian bridge project is entering its next phases of development. Construction is scheduled to take place from July 20 to October 23, 2026.
The pedestrian bridge will provide a safe accessible passageway to Kateri Tekakwitha Island and will address longstanding safety concerns associated with pedestrians and cyclists sharing the existing bridge with vehicular traffic.
As a reminder, the project will be fully funded by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), including design and construction coordination. The work was tendered exclusively to Kahnawa’kehró:non contractors, and following the tendering process, Rice Mohawk Steel was awarded the contract.
“This pedestrian bridge represents a major step forward in ensuring safe access to Kateri Tekakwitha Island for our community members, especially during peak periods like last week’s Pow-Wow,” said Infrastructure, Transport & Operations portfolio Ratsénhaienhs Paul Rice. “I am very pleased that this project will be funded and coordinated by SLSMC, while also creating opportunities for our local contractors. A special thanks to Ratsénhaienhs Arnold Boyer for spearheading this initiative, from the start.”
Once the construction is complete, the site will be restored to its original condition. The Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office will monitor the work and ensure appropriate measures are implemented to minimize environmental impacts.
Nitsénhaiens Arnold Boyer and Paul Rice remind the community that this project does not involve giving up any land – not one more inch.
“This land remains ours, and this initiative is about safety and opportunity for all who visit Kateri Tekakwitha Island,” added Rice
Please note that no road closures are anticipated during construction. However, a portion of the roadway may be temporarily closed to allow for asphalt work associated with the new pathway. The pedestrian bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing Kateri Tekakwitha Island bridge, within the SLSMC easement.
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Background
In 2020, the SLSMC commissioned a study on the Recreation Bay project’s impact on Kateri Tekakwitha Island, which found that increased pedestrian and cyclist traffic poses safety risks due to the existing bridge being designed only for vehicles. The study recommended separating pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and while a 2022 cantilever proposal was rejected due to design and cost issues, a revised plan was developed in 2023–2024 to include a prefabricated, standalone pedestrian bridge adjacent to the current bridge. This design was approved and presented to local contractors at the Kahnawà:ke Labor Office to encourage community involvement and confirm local trades’ capacity for installation.
