News release
November 25, 2021
Canada’s Capital Region—The National Capital Commission (NCC), on behalf of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), today launched a second round of public consultations to seek input on the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge. We encourage the public to learn more about the project by visiting our website and taking our online survey, available until Sunday, December 12, 2021.
The consultation launched today is designed to identify and better understand the potential benefits of bridge replacement activities, while mitigating their potential impact on local communities. It follows an initial engagement phase in fall 2020, in which more than 3,000 participants commented on the planning and design principles for the project. A separate engagement process is currently under way with the Algonquin Nation.
This is the second of five rounds of public consultation to be undertaken during the planning, design and pre-construction phases of the project. All residents of the National Capital Region will thus have multiple opportunities to inform PSPC on the replacement of the bridge, planned from 2028 to 2032.
Public input on mitigating potential impacts
Construction activities must be planned in a manner that delivers benefits to the community, while limiting potential disruptions related to the replacement. Leveraging input from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous partners, PSPC is examining solutions that could include:
- Creating detours to mitigate the effect of construction activity on bridge users
- Expanding the use of commercial and recreational boating services such as water taxis
- Adopting business continuity plans for nearby residents, landowners, businesses and visitors
- Undertaking studies to understand potential impacts on fisheries, archaeology and wildlife.
Process and timelines
The replacement of the Alexandra Bridge will be undertaken in three phases.
- Phase 1: Project pre-planning stage (2019–2021)
- Development of vision and design guidelines
- Consultation on planning and design guidelines
- Consultation on benefits and impact mitigation strategies (current consultation)
- Phase 2: Planning and design stage (2022–2025)
- Development of design options
- Consultation on conceptual design options
- Consultation on preliminary design
- Consultation on the final bridge design
- Phase 3: Procurement and implementation (2025–2032)
About the Alexandra Bridge replacement project
- In 2019, the Government of Canada directed PSPC to replace the bridge within 10 years.
- The bridge is now 120 years old. While it remains safe, it is reaching the end of its service life and must be replaced due to its deteriorating condition and the increasing cost of maintenance.
- Designed and engineered in the 19th century, the bridge does not have the capacity to accommodate new forms of sustainable public transit or increases in active transportation use.
- The bridge spans the Ottawa River from Nepean Point, in Ottawa to Jacques-Cartier Park, in Gatineau. It supports roughly 9 percent of interprovincial traffic in the region.
Links
- PSPC Alexandra Bridge replacement project
- NCC consultation on the Alexandra Bridge replacement project
- Alexandra Bridge planning and design principles
- Public consultation report
Media Information
Mario Tremblay
NCC Media Relations
613-859-9596
mario.tremblay@ncc-ccn.ca
Media Relations
Public Services and Procurement Canada
819-420-5501
media@pwgsc-tpsgc.gc.ca