Opposition to new inter-provincial bridge increases with new idea tabled

A bridge to nowhere? In December last year, the federal government announced it would explore building a sixth inter-provincial bridge connecting Ottawa to Gatineau. Some applauded the idea, saying it would take traffic out of the downtown core, and others criticized it, saying it could make congestion worse in other areas. 

Either way, it’s not like the crossing over the Ottawa River would soon be completed, with the earliest opening in 2034. And even then, the first phase that would need to be completed is a plan to design a new “multimodal bridge.” 

A different idea: But now, some politicians from various levels of government are calling for a pivot to a different, bigger priority instead. 

Ottawa’s public works and infrastructure committee has endorsed a motion encouraging the feds to consider a southern ring road to relieve congestion on the Queensway.

• “Three billion dollars for an interprovincial bridge, we have no interest in that. We have a bigger issue where all our traffic is going through downtown, and we see highway closures that affect people's lives right now,” said Innes Ward Coun. Tim Tierney, according to CBC. 

There is support: Coun. Laura Dudas, who represents Orléans West-Innes, endorsed the motion but noted it would cost a lot of money. Ariel Troster, the councillor for Somerset Ward, had a different view and said the city should not spend money promoting vehicle use instead of transit.

Opposition to the new inter-provincial bridge also comes from within the Liberal government. Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier said she didn’t think the crossing would help east traffic congestion. 

• “The eastern bridge project via Kettle Island – specifically the corridor between the Aviation Parkway and Montée Paiement does not meet Ottawa’s needs. It does not guarantee the removal of heavy trucks from the King Edward corridor, which is a crucial issue for safety, air quality, and traffic flow in the downtown core,” said Fortier in a letter to constituents, according to CTV. 

Fortier also noted that Public Services and Procurement Canada did not consult with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation about “the already overcapacity Highway 417” and the Highway 174 interchange in the east end.

A refined plan for the Alexandra Bridge replacement 

Backup: The aging Alexandra Bridge needs to be replaced, near the new interprovincial plan at Kettle Island on the Ottawa River. 

If you recall, three designs were proposed, and in January, “Motion” was identified as the preferred candidate. Inspired by the American eel, it features three arches, but looks nothing like the current structure that’s there — a decision skew said ignores its century-old heritage. 

But now some modifications have been made to the drawings.  

• “The bridge features several comfortable seating areas along its length, designed for pedestrians and wheelchair users. There are also sheltered nooks under the arches, and shading structures could be provided at seating locations along the bridge. Within the arches, two rows of timber panels protect from the wind, with additional wind protection provided at seating locations to improve comfort,” wrote the NCC on its website. 

It also said the lookout spaces could feature generous seating areas and central lookout points, “offering uninterrupted views of the river and the central capital scene.”

There will also be improvements to noise. 

• “The design of the new bridge will present a significant acoustic improvement compared to that of the existing Alexandra Bridge,” the NCC says. “The new continuous asphalt roadway will be more beneficial than the open steel grillage roadway on the existing bridge, reducing overall noise emissions and creating a quieter, more comfortable environment for all users, including individuals with sensory sensitivities or hearing impairments.”