Name: CSCE Ontario Region Annual Dinner
Start: 2025-11-29T17:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-29T20:30:00-05:00
Location: 312 Lakeshore Rd E

Join us on November 29th, 2025, for an evening of fellowship, history, and connection with Ontario Region members.
About this Event

Join Us for an Evening of Networking and Celebration

We are delighted to invite you to an evening that celebrates friendship, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE).

Nearly thirty years ago, the Fellows of CSCE gathered for their very first dinner—an informal occasion dedicated to good company, engaging conversations, and camaraderie. Over time, this dinner became a treasured tradition for Fellows, Life Members, and their companions.

After a pause in recent years, the Dinner returned last year, and we are excited to continue the tradition—this time, welcoming all CSCE members and their companions to share in the fellowship. Join us on November 29, 2025, for an evening of connection, celebration, and a delicious three-course meal accompanied by an engaging presentation on the history of bridges.

MTO 100+: A History of Bridges.

This presentation begins 200 years ago when the first bridges of significant size were built in Ontario, still called Upper Canada at the time. It follows with the introduction of new bridge materials of iron, steel and concrete - up until the formation of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) in 1916. The following 100 years are explored in a bit more detail, focusing on the Provincial highway bridges. There were continued advancements in the between war period, with concrete rigid frame bridges, and post war period when riveting was replaced by welding and bolting. In the 1950's and 60's, the great truss building era came to an end and freeway bridges were constructed faster and in great numbers using the new prestressed concrete technology. The latter part of the century focused on rehabilitation, as winter deicing salts were greatly affecting the lifespan of bridges. This century has seen the introduction of more new methods and materials to improve bridge durability, as well as methods of construction to reduce construction times and disruption to traffic. In MTO's 100-year history, they have always been on the leading edge of transportation jurisdictions in North America, and this presentation will showcase examples of numerous bridges throughout this history to prove it.

Meet our Presenter: Walter Kenedi, P.Eng.

Walter Kenedi graduated from University of Toronto in 1989 with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and 1991with a Master's degree, specializing in Structural. He joined the Ministry of Transportation Ontario immediately after graduation and had a 33-year career there. Walter worked in all areas of the Bridge Office in the time, including design, evaluation, standards and rehabilitation. Walter spent most of his time in Bridge Management, working on inspections, prioritizing structural work, and mostly notably here, reviewing and researching heritage bridges. Walter was Chair of the MTO Heritage Bridge Committee from 2008 until 2024 and worked to preserve the memory of the bridges that helped shape the development of Ontario.

Dinner Menu

Appetizers (Family Style)