A judicial review application has been filed challenging the Municipality of Huron Shores council’s decision to permanently close and demolish the historic Dean Lake Bridge.
Dean Lake Bridge Demolition Challenged in Court
The Community Voices Committee (CVC) filed the application with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Nov. 12, contesting the council’s decision regarding the bridge.
The Dean Lake Bridge is considered one of Ontario’s oldest surviving Pratt through-truss bridges and is described as a treasured landmark and vital gateway to Mississagi Delta Provincial Park. For decades, it has supported tourism, property values, local businesses, and provided access for residents and visitors.
The council’s decision favors an alternate road route requiring upgrades, which are deemed “feasible” but may face existing constraints. The council has also refused to restore interim access to the bridge while considering these alternatives.
The CVC believes the decision to abandon the bridge does not meet legal and procedural standards and disregards the impact on those reliant on the bridge for access. Residents have reportedly endured unsafe detour conditions, delays for emergency services, economic hardship, and isolation for seniors and families for nearly a year.
“Reducing lives, livelihoods and heritage to a financial calculation is not governance — it is abandonment,” a statement from the CVC reads.
The application for judicial review aims to safeguard public interest and ensure proper governance principles are upheld. The CVC stated that no community should have to fight for its safety, dignity, and future, but they are committed to doing so.
Mary Johnson, a resident of the Municipality of Huron Shores – Dean Lake/Iron Bridge, filed the application on behalf of the Community Voices Committee Incorporated, a not-for-profit entity.
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