Des Allumettes Bridge

The Des Allumettes Bridge is an important interprovincial link between Pembroke, Ontario, and L’Île-aux-Allumettes, Quebec, over the Ottawa River.

The Des Allumettes Bridge is an important crossing over the Ottawa River that links communities of Pembroke in Ontario and L’Île-aux-Allumettes in Quebec. Both communities depend on the bridge to support economic activities such as forestry and tourism. 

The current Des Allumettes Bridge was constructed between 2014 and 2015. The bridge has the following features:

• it’s a 2-lane bridge made of twin steel box girders spanning continuously over 3 spans supported by concrete piers and abutments
• the 11-metre-wide roadway has a 3.75-metre-wide traffic lane and 1.75-metre-wide shoulder in each direction
• the total length of the bridge is about 280 metres, with individual span lengths of 85, 110 and 85 metres

Based on an annual average, about 5,400 vehicles cross the bridge daily, according to the Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility. The nearest alternative crossing is the Chenaux Dam, about 50 kilometres east, near Portage-du-Fort.

For traffic information and oversize and overweight permits, please contact the provincial authorities listed below:

We monitor the condition of the bridge through yearly inspections to ensure it continues to be in good condition, remains safe and serves future generations. 

Lanes may be temporarily closed to motorists and other users to allow workers to safely conduct repair, maintenance and inspection work. We will work with partners and stakeholders to mitigate commuting challenges.

Stay informed about lane closures by following us on social media or consulting our public notices. 

The bridge is the first fixed link in a long history of travel across the river. People travelled from the mainland via the group of islands on the Ottawa River to the municipality of L’Îsle-aux-Allumettes. The Algonquins used the islands as a point of contact with Europeans. Before the bridge was constructed, people in the 19th century crossed using steamboats and later, ferries.

• 1956: Construction of the bridge begins
• 1957: Construction of the original deck truss bridge is completed, with an asphalt overlay and steel pipe railings
• 1978: A major deck rehabilitation of the old structure is carried out, which includes:
  • removal of the asphalt overlay and top concrete, and their replacement with a concrete overlay
  • replacement of the expansion joints and repainting of the whole superstructure
• 1991: Due to increased traffic, the structure is strengthened with additional plates and channels to the top and bottom truss chords
  • Additionally, the railing and curb are removed and replaced with a concrete barrier
• 2013 to 2015: The bridge is replaced due to the advanced state of deterioration of the old structure
  • The replacement bridge is built to the requirements of the:
    • Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code
    • Geometric Design Guide for Canadian Roads, published by the Transportation Association of Canada

Watch this video to see the installation of the central steel section of the replacement bridge.

Directory of Federal Real Property: Des Allumettes Bridge