Third Crossing - New name

“Waaban Crossing” was confirmed as the bridge’s proper name at the City Council meeting held on March 22, 2022.



Announcement of the community selected name, Waaban Crossing

The City is excited to announce the community selected name for the new bridge that spans the Cataraqui River from the foot of Gore Road in the city's east-end to the foot of John Counter Boulevard in the north-end. “Waaban Crossing” was confirmed as the bridge’s proper name at the City Council meeting held on March 22.

In July 2020, City Council committed to naming what is now called ‘Third Crossing’ in a way that reflects and celebrates the stories and contributions of Indigenous communities in this region, both past and present. City Council’s decision was based on over two years of community discussion on how to share more history and stories with an intent rebalance and honour the diversity of the Kingston community. Through the City’s Engage for Change project, there was a call to re-frame and increase community connections with Indigenous history, knowledge, and culture.

The specific engagement on the name commenced in February 2021 and was facilitated with the support of First Peoples Group. It was extensive - spanning six different engagement steps - and included consultation from Indigenous Nations with historical ties to the area, along with interested members of the local Indigenous community, and non-Indigenous local residents.

The engagement involved 942 community participants; and included six in-depth meetings with Indigenous community members, 725 resident completed surveys on the names and naming themes, and 188 student submissions providing feedback to guide the final name selection.

The name, Waaban Crossing, is seen as a hopeful metaphor for a brighter future for all. The use of “Third Crossing” will continue until the bridge construction is complete and the bridge officially opens at the end of 2022.

Learn more about what we heard during the six steps of the Third Crossing Naming engagement.


Waaban (WAA-ban) Listen to how WAA-ban is pronounced(WAA-ban) Listen to how WAA-ban is pronounced

Waaban is an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) word that has several meanings and interpretations relating to the eastern direction where the sun comes up, the dawn of a new day or the morning light. This word was put forward to represent both the natural environment that the bridge crosses, and as a hopeful metaphor, with Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians working together toward a better world for future generations.

"My Granddaughter and I walked along the Waaban Crossing this afternoon."



Announcement of the community selected name, Waaban Crossing

The City is excited to announce the community selected name for the new bridge that spans the Cataraqui River from the foot of Gore Road in the city's east-end to the foot of John Counter Boulevard in the north-end. “Waaban Crossing” was confirmed as the bridge’s proper name at the City Council meeting held on March 22.

In July 2020, City Council committed to naming what is now called ‘Third Crossing’ in a way that reflects and celebrates the stories and contributions of Indigenous communities in this region, both past and present. City Council’s decision was based on over two years of community discussion on how to share more history and stories with an intent rebalance and honour the diversity of the Kingston community. Through the City’s Engage for Change project, there was a call to re-frame and increase community connections with Indigenous history, knowledge, and culture.

The specific engagement on the name commenced in February 2021 and was facilitated with the support of First Peoples Group. It was extensive - spanning six different engagement steps - and included consultation from Indigenous Nations with historical ties to the area, along with interested members of the local Indigenous community, and non-Indigenous local residents.

The engagement involved 942 community participants; and included six in-depth meetings with Indigenous community members, 725 resident completed surveys on the names and naming themes, and 188 student submissions providing feedback to guide the final name selection.

The name, Waaban Crossing, is seen as a hopeful metaphor for a brighter future for all. The use of “Third Crossing” will continue until the bridge construction is complete and the bridge officially opens at the end of 2022.

Learn more about what we heard during the six steps of the Third Crossing Naming engagement.


Waaban (WAA-ban) Listen to how WAA-ban is pronounced(WAA-ban) Listen to how WAA-ban is pronounced

Waaban is an Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) word that has several meanings and interpretations relating to the eastern direction where the sun comes up, the dawn of a new day or the morning light. This word was put forward to represent both the natural environment that the bridge crosses, and as a hopeful metaphor, with Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians working together toward a better world for future generations.

"My Granddaughter and I walked along the Waaban Crossing this afternoon."