New footbridge to be built over the Rideau Canal

CTV Ottawa: Funding for new footbridge Catherine Lathem reports on the federal funding for transit infrastructure and how the money will be used to build a new foot bridge.

It’s one of Ottawa’s most sparkling jewels, and now the Rideau Canal will shine even brighter for residents in the Glebe and Old Ottawa east.

Federal Environment Minister and Ottawa Centre MP Catherine Mckenna, today announced a new pedestrian and cycling foot-bridge will be built over the canal connecting Fifth Avenue in the Glebe with Clegg Street in Old Ottawa east.

“It will make it easier for kids who are going to school.  It will make it easier for parents who are commuting to work,” said McKenna.

The new footbridge that will cross the canal just north of the Canal Ritz restaurant, costing a total of $21 million, half of that paid for by the federal government, the other half expected to be shared between the city and the province.

“This is thrilling,” said Glebe Councillor David Chernushenko, “this is literally a connection that brings communities together that have been separated by this beautiful but still real obstacle of the Rideau Canal.”

The announcement is part of the Federal Government’s $2.97 billion investment in transportation projects across Ontario.  Ottawa will receive $156 million to help fund 57 projects.

“I’m very, very happy,” Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson told the crowd, “when you’re a mayor of a municipality that has a very ambitious construction project for transit, for cycling and for pedestrians, this is manna from heaven for us.”

Foot-bridge construction will begin at the end of 2017. The bridge will open in 2019.

The bridge is part of the city's official plan.