Bridge project between Gatineau and Ottawa: two banks, two visions

A new interprovincial bridge linking eastern Gatineau and Ottawa? This announcement of a few lines in the federal economic statement presented Monday did not go unnoticed in the National Capital Region. If the news is generally applauded on one side, the reception is more lukewarm on the other.

Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have committed to releasing funds to build a bridge that would connect Montée Paiement, in Gatineau, to Promenade de l’Aviation, in Ottawa. The route is also known as the Kettle Island Corridor. This would be a sixth link between the two banks.

The project has been on the table for many years. Its particular objective is to reduce the number of heavy trucks in downtown Ottawa, particularly on Avenue King Edwardand improve mobility between Gatineau and the capital.

On the Quebec side, the municipal councilor of the Versant district, Daniel Champagne, speaks of excellent news for the citizens of the east of the city.

We have been imagining this bridge for at least 30 years, 40 years, even 50 years.he said.

Open in full screen mode

On [le gouvernement fédéral] comes to propose a multimodal infrastructure which will allow greater ease of public transport, active transport, and transport in the broad sense as well. It is a first interprovincial road infrastructure for the Gatineau sector and the east of the city. We often refer to a sixth link, but in fact, it is a first link for people from the east of the cityadded the advisor.

If I am currently in Buckingham or in Masson-Angers, […] I am able to see Ottawa from the other side, but I am unable to cross there without going completely west.

The municipal councilor of the Masson-Angers district, Mario Aubé, agrees.

I have long campaigned in favor of a bridge in the east. I have always been convinced that a first bridge was needed in Gatineauhe commented.

The latter welcomed the fact that the Liberals’ plans provide for a bridge that would not be strictly all in the car. On the other hand, he emphasizes that people will not stop driving by car tomorrow.

The project was supported more recently by federal MP Steven MacKinnon who described the announcement ashistoric breakthrough for the region.

Also read and see:

Not a priority for the mayor of Ottawa

On the other side of the river, the idea of ​​a new bridge in the east is received more coolly. Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was clear on the issue: A new bridge is not a priority for me or for the residents of Ottawa. If it is possible to have fewer trucks downtown, yes, it is better, but we have other priorities.

Open in full screen mode

The Rideau-Vanier neighborhood councilor, Stéphanie Plante, recognizes the importance of another cross-border link, but says she is not optimistic about seeing the project come to fruition any time soon.

It has already been announced with the government [libéral de l’Ontario de Dalton] McGuinty. It was also announced with the government [fédéral conservateur de Stephen] Harper. So I’m curious to see what’s different in 2024she commented.

We know we need a sixth link, that’s not the question. We also know that truckers have been wanting solutions for a long time [pour éviter de passer par le centre-ville] and we know that they supply the grocery stores and bring all the things we need in our daily lives. We hope to find a solution, but I admit that I do not believe that it will materialize in the coming years.

And political gameaccording to an advisor

The municipal councilor of Beacon Hill-Cyrville, Tim Tierney, however, believes that it is a question ofa political game.

Open in full screen mode

No one should believe a word of thishe said. It’s nothing more than “magic beans”. We spoke with the National Capital Commission […] in April, it was clear that there were six to seven years left before choosing a corridorhe reacted.

There is no money announced here, no timetable… It’s just politics made by politicians trying to save their skins.

He also says he fears the environmental impacts of a route that would connect Montée Paiement, in Gatineau, to Promenade de l’Aviation, in Ottawa.

We need to go back to the drawing board to reassess all corridors under a new government.

Former Ottawa municipal councilor for Rideau-Rockcliffe, Jacques Legendre, knows the issue well, having served from 2001 to 2010. But years later, his observation remains the same.

We need a corridor, yes, but the place for our side [à Ottawa] is poorly chosen. Gatineau, I understand, their corridor has been reserved for a long time, there is no problem on the other side.

The former elected official recalls that the Kettle Island route has long been rejected by Ottawa residents, but also by Montfort Hospital in 2013. Members of the Manor Park Community Association, in particular, fear traffic problems in their area.

MP Fortier remains cautious

In interview on the show On the spotthe federal MP for Ottawa-Vanier, Mona Fortier, remained cautious about her position, recalling that the City of Ottawa has other priorities citing the revitalization of the ByWard Market and the challenges in terms of public transportation.

My concern currently is: “Will this solution [d’un nouveau pont] will ensure that we remove heavy truck traffic on King Edward and that we do not create another problem elsewhere?” I think that the fact that we are still in study mode gives us time to see how we can ensure better interprovincial traffic.

Open in full screen mode

In a written response, the Department of Finance Canada indicates thatit is currently too early to confirm the cost of building the bridge or a timeline.

However, he specifies that cet engagement [du fédéral annoncé dans l’énoncé économique] for the project known as the “Eastern Bridge” allows for the next phase of planning, which includes impact assessment, design, preliminary site preparation and a strategy for ‘supply.

With information from Emmanuelle Poisson, Louis-Denis Ébacher and Arthur White-Crummeyof CBC News