Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada

Murray Canal

Murray Canal
© Parks Canada / Cathy Darevic / July 20, 2005

Cutting straight through the narrow strip of land connecting Prince Edward County with the north shore of Lake Ontario, the Murray Canal is an 8 kilometre canal cut linking Lake Ontario with the Bay of Quinte. It was constructed between 1882-1889 to provide an alternative shipping route to the treacherous waters surrounding Prince Edward County.

Presqu'ile Bay will lead you to the Murray Canal and its two road bridges; Brighton Road Swing Bridge and Carrying Place Swing Bridge . There is a toll charge of $5 for boats navigating through the Murray Canal. A Seasonal Pass for the Murray Canal is also available for $55.00. Fees are collected at the Brighton Bridge. United States boaters need to clear Canada Customs if they have not done so. The phone number is 1-888-226-7277.

Information

• Fee: $5.00 per passage for vessels requiring a bridge swing.
  Seasonal - $55.00
  N.B. Fee collected at Brighton Road Swing Bridge.

• Facilities: Public washrooms and picnic tables are available at Brighton Bridge.

• Clearance: Overhead clearance of closed bridges varies with the water level.

  • Brighton Road Swing Bridge = 2.1 to 2.7 m (7 to 9 ft)
  • Carrying Place Swing Bridge = 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft)

• Water Depth: 2.7 m (9') under normal conditions.

• Width: The width restriction is 15.2 m (50 ft.) at both bridges.

• Overnight Mooring: Available at both bridges for a maximum of two nights.

• VHF Radio: Murray Canal swing bridges monitor VHF Channel 14 only during navigation season hours of operation.

• Speed: There is a 10-km/h speed limit in the canal.

• Winds: Boaters should exercise caution when navigating the canal. Winds that typically blow the length of the canal may make the handling of a boat difficult, especially when docking.

• Phone Numbers:

  • Brighton Road Swing Bridge: (613) 475-1299
  • Carrying Place Swing Bridge: (613) 392-8931