Ottawa Liberal MP says proposed interprovincial bridge ‘does not meet Ottawa’s needs’

An Ottawa Liberal MP is not onboard the proposed route for a new interprovincial bridge in Ottawa’s east end, saying the bridge at Kettle Island “does not meet Ottawa’s needs” and will not remove trucks from the Lowertown neighbourhood.

The Liberal government committed to building a new interprovincial bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau last December, which would connect Montée Paiement in Gatineau with the Aviation Parkway in Ottawa. The bridge would cross the Ottawa River at Kettle Island in Ottawa’s east end.

“I believe that, to this day, we have yet to identify a comprehensive solution – particularly on the Ottawa side,” Mona Fortier, MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, said in a letter to constituents.

“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.”

There are currently five interprovincial bridges in Ottawa, with the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge the only bridge on the eastern side of Ottawa.

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

“This new bridge cannot become a ‘bridge to nowhere.’ It must be part of a coherent, integrated, and sustainable regional solution that does not simply shift the problem into new communities,” Fortier writes.

“With an estimated cost between $3 and $4 billion, this project represents a major investment that does not offer clear or equitable benefits for our region. Furthermore, based on my many conversations with residents and numerous community associations, this project is not a priority.”

Fortier add studies conducted by the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Public Services and Procurement Canada on the Kettle Island option “have not demonstrated clear benefits” for Ottawa.

“It is time to shift the discussion toward a comprehensive solution that connects Highway 50 to the 417, addresses the issue of truck traffic in the downtown core, and ensures fair and respectful outcomes for all communities,” Fortier said.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe has said the proposed new interprovincial bridge is not a priority for the City of Ottawa, and encouraged the federal government to fund transit.

The NCC launched public consultations last week on the proposed new interprovincial bridge, with an online survey available until July 10

“Your input will also inform the initial project description, which will be submitted to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada as part of the federal Impact Assessment process,” the NCC said.

According to the NCC, the feedback from residents will play a key role in identifying the project’s “most important benefits from a community perspective,” understanding “potential impacts on people, places and the environment” and shaping the initial planning and design principles for the bridge.

The survey asks participants to rank what topics are most important to them for the eastern bridge project: transportation and connectivity, community impacts and health, the environment and economic opportunities. Participants are also asked about their concerns for the interprovincial bridge project.

The new bridge at Kettle Island could be completed between 2032 and 2034.