An updated design concept for the new interprovincial bridge to replace the aging Alexandra Bridge over the Ottawa River has been released. In January, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Public Services and Procurement Canada announced the chosen design for the interprovincial bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau over the Ottawa River. The concept is called “Motion,” which is inspired by the American eel and features three arches. one primary arch and two secondary arches. In a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, the NCC unveiled updates to the preferred concept to replace the Alexandra Bridge, saying it “takes into consideration feedback from public consultations, Indigenous communities and advisory committees.” The NCC says key elements of the updated bridge design include safety and separation of modes of transportation, furnishings and seasonal comfort, universal access and shoreline connectivity. “The bridge has been designed to ensure a seamless connection between the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” the NCC said. “The seating zone below the arches and the wind screen provide continuous separation between the cycleway and pedestrian deck. Bollards demarcate the cycleway at the lookout spaces.” The NCC says the bridge will feature “several comfortable seating areas” designed for pedestrians and wheelchair users, along with “sheltered nooks” under the arches. “The lookout spaces could feature generous seating areas and central lookout points, offering uninterrupted views of the river and the central capital scene,” the NCC says on its website. “Key seating locations along the bridge would similarly provide sheltered enjoyment of national symbols.” The updates to ensure universal access to the bridge include every access point to the bridge deck being “level to allow those requiring mobility aids to navigate them easily.” “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.” For shoreline connectivity, the NCC says the proposed bridge “approaches are positioned sensitively on the river’s shorelines and escarpment, maintaining a cohesive, green, connected corridor, while also enhancing existing pathways and supporting the development of new connections.” The NCC says the designer will further adapt the preferred concept of the bridge. Residents are invited to provide feedback on the updated preferred design concept on the NCC’s website. The deconstruction of the existing Alexandra Bridge and the construction of the new bridge are scheduled for between 2028 and 2032.
