In 2025, the City opened a new accessible pedestrian bridge connecting Emma Street and Earl Street. The bridge provides a key walking and cycling link across the Speed River for nearby neighbourhoods and the broader community. It also supports our commitment to making it easy to get around Guelph.
The new connection improves access to the Downtown Trail and makes it easier for residents to travel to and from downtown. It also serves as an important detour route while the Speed River bridge at Speedvale Avenue East is being replaced.
The need for this connection was identified through the Council-approved Trails Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan. The bridge supports the expansion of Guelph’s active transportation network as the city continues to grow.
Construction began in April 2025 and was completed in November 2025. The bridge is 81 metres long and consists of two sections. In October 2023, the City gathered community input on two design options through an online survey. More than 500 responses were received, and the steel girder design by Entuitive and BT Engineering was selected.