Construction planned for two interprovincial bridges in Ottawa

Construction is planned on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and the Chaudière Crossing. CTV’s Natalie Van Rooy looks at the potential impacts.

Construction season is back with two major projects taking over interprovincial bridges connecting Ontario and Quebec this summer, bringing traffic disruptions and possible closures.

The bridges involved include the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and the Chaudière Crossing. The project on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge includes replacing the asphalt layer and doing steel repairs.

Public Services and Procurement Canada confirms that work is expected to start on the Macdonald-Cartier bridge in June and continue into 2027. An invitation to tenders for the construction contractor was sent out in March.

“Most of the construction will be taking place in the summer when there’s less people on the road at that time due to the summer holidays and school being off. I think we’re going to try to mitigate as much as we can but we’re just asking everyone for patience,” said Rideau-Vanier Coun. Stéphanie Plante.

Some residents are concerned the construction will bring more delays in an already jammed corridor.

“That’s the main bridge to get home and also to get over to some of the parks that I like,” said Ottawa resident Jonnathan Koonings. “It’s a big pain, especially because it was only last year that the Alexandra Bridge was closed down for cars as well, it just seems one after the other.”

Another area up for construction is the Chaudière Crossing, the oldest crossing in the national capital region. The Southern Structure Renewal Project to extend the life of the vital crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau is scheduled to start this spring and last to summer 2028.

“Traffic delays and potential lane closures may occur during construction projects. We are working with partners and stakeholders to mitigate commuting challenges where possible,” Public Services and Procurement Canada says on its website.

“We will provide information to commuters before work starts so they can consider alternative routes during construction periods.”

While the Chaudière Crossing is under repair, two lanes of traffic are expected to stay open, with one lane available in each direction at a reduced width.

“I think anything that limits flow for cars, as well as for people and people on bikes between the two provinces is very difficult for general transport as well as for leisure activities,” said Ottawa resident Neety Panu.

As Ottawa’s population continues to grow, Plante says it’s an indicator that these projects are needed.

“We need more links to move interprovincial trade and to move people so the faster we can get that up, the faster we can move people back and forth,” she said.

The federal government has also expressed plans to build a new interprovincial bridge over Kettle Island in Ottawa’s east end, with the goal of having it completed between 2032 and 2034. The proposal has brought mixed reactions.

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