Alexandra Bridge Replacement

The Alexandra Bridge has been an iconic feature of the Ottawa-Gatineau skyline for over 120 years. Originally built for trains, horse and wagons, electric streetcars, and pedestrians, the bridge is now used by thousands of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

The Alexandra Bridge has reached the end of its service life and is due for replacement. The Government of Canada directed that the bridge be replaced to make sure the crossing can service transportation needs well into the future. Ongoing repairs will allow it to remain in use until the start of construction in 2028.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is the federal government department responsible for the management of the Alexandra Bridge, with the NCC acting as partner. The NCC, as part of an integrated project team, is leading a comprehensive engagement process, as well as many studies on this project.

Discover the extensive work and collaboration that is going into replacing this iconic bridge in PSPC’s new story “Getting ready for a new bridge.”

The NCC Board of Directors granted an initial Federal Land Use and Design Approval for Motion, the preferred concept for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge.

On October 1, three shortlisted design concepts (Echo, Rendez vous and Motion) were presented to the NCC Board of Directors. The NCC then sought feedback on the design concepts from the public, Indigenous communities, GBA+ focus groups, expert groups and stakeholders to inform the evaluation process.

PSPC and the NCC followed a process to fairly and objectively evaluate each design and select a preferred concept. The process leveraged input from many studies as well as feedback from:

• Heritage Impact Analysis
• Advisory Committees (Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Real Estate [ACPDR], Advisory Committee on Universal Accessibility [ACUA])
• Indigenous communities
• Members of the public
• Independent Review Panel (IRP)
• Stakeholders
• Public advisory group

The integrated project team used a detailed multi-criteria assessment (MCA) to evaluate the three design concepts based on seven design principles which incorporated input from the first phase of public consultation:

1. Bridge expression
2. Capital real integration
3. Public space and user experience
4. Views and visual experience
5. Sustainability and the environment
6. Construction cost and schedule
7. Operation and maintenance

The vision for the Motion design concept is inspired by nature. It honours the efforts of Indigenous communities for the restoration of traditional habitats and their respected wisdom and dedication to reconciliation and reconnection to the Land.

Three arches rise and fall, flowing over the river offering interest both above and below. Gathering points are marked by the sections of the bridge where the structure curves below the deck. These are supported below by a structural form that reaches out in a sculpted support.

This option uses a different cross-section arrangement than the other two concepts. This is an efficient ladder deck system with both the bike lane and vehicle lanes separated within the bridge structure and the pedestrian lane on the outer side.

Motion stood out for its ability to complement the surrounding landscape, provide engaging views and offer accessible public spaces. It achieved the highest score in the MCA.

PSPC, NCC and the technical advisor will work together to refine the preferred design concept. They will use feedback from public consultations, Indigenous engagement, advisory committees and notes from the evaluation process to develop a reference design.

The next round of public consultation on the bridge’s reference design is scheduled for 2025.

Technical advisor

In spring 2023, PSPC retained the services of a technical advisor (TA) to coordinate and complete a number of economic, heritage and environmental studies, as well as develop the conceptual designs for the new bridge.

Design framework

The integrated project team (NCC, PSPC and the TA) created a design framework to guide the early design stages. The development of the design is based on several studies and is informed by input from Indigenous communities, the public and stakeholders, as well as expert and review committees.

The team has also developed performance criteria to evaluate the bridge’s final concept design options. These criteria are based on planning and design principles that were the subject of a public consultation in fall 2020 and were approved by the NCC’s board of directors in June 2021.

When it opened in 1901, the Alexandra Bridge was considered one of the most innovative bridges of its time, linking the cities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. It spans the Ottawa River from Kìwekì Point in Ottawa to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. Out of all the interprovincial crossings, the Alexandra Bridge carries approximately 9 percent of vehicular traffic and about 33 percent of active mobility users (e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, users of mobility devices).

The bridge is a major national landmark. It is recognized for its iconic beauty and innovative design. Here is a brief overview of its history.

• 1898–1900: Construction of the Alexandra Bridge, which includes the longest cantilevered span in Canada, by Canadian engineers and designers and the largest steel structure built in North America.
• 1901: The bridge opens to traffic: trains, electric streetcars, horses and wagons, and pedestrians.
• 1946: A major fire destroys about one third of the bridge deck, leading to a major rehabilitation. Streetcar service over the bridge is discontinued.
• 1966: Train use over the bridge ends with the construction of the new Ottawa railway station on Tremblay Road. The train tracks are removed from the bridge in 1970.
• 1995: The bridge is designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Site by the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering.
• 2000: The Alexandra Bridge formally becomes a key component of the Confederation Boulevard ceremonial route.
• 2010: A heritage value assessment by PSPC rates the bridge as an engineering asset of national historic importance.
• 2017: The bridge is included in the City of Ottawa’s Heritage Register for its cultural heritage value or interest.
• 2018: A lifecycle cost analysis determines that replacing the bridge would be less disruptive to the public than trying to maintain the existing bridge and would also be more cost effective.
• 2019: The Government of Canada directs that the bridge be replaced within 10 years.
• 2019: Pre-planning for a replacement bridge begins.
• 2021: The bridge is added to the National Trust for Canada’s Endangered Places List.

Replacement of the Alexandra Bridge involves the following three stages.

The new bridge will be designed in a way that allows for active transportation, public transit and personal vehicles.

The following requirements reflect some of the input received in the first round of consultations.

1. Two lanes for vehicle traffic (one in each direction) that could later be adapted for a high-capacity transit system.
2. One two-way lane for active transportation (pedestrians, cyclists and mobility device users), with clear separation of pedestrians and cyclists, on the west side of the bridge. It should include seating to provide safe and unobstructed rest points and viewing locations.
3. All lanes will have a solid surface to protect the bridge from the elements, de-icing products and dirt. This will allow for a longer-lasting structure.

The vision for the new structure is to create a bridge as a unique civic place, reflective of Canadian values and identity, and respectful of the integrity of the national capital’s cultural landscapes.

The following guiding principles will provide additional direction on the design of the new bridge in the areas of planning, heritage protection, urban design and sustainability.

During the first round of consultations in fall 2020, over 3,000 participants provided feedback on these principles. In June 2021, the NCC Board of Directors approved them.

Mobility and continuity of the urban fabric

Public space and civic experiences

Structure, height, proportions and lighting

Preservation of views and celebration of the bridge’s legacy

Sustainability and materiality

Universal accessibility, legibility and wayfinding

Alexandra Bridge planning and design principles

The replacement of the Alexandra Bridge is a unique opportunity to reimagine this vital connection between Ottawa and Gatineau. We are analyzing the many impacts this project could have and are looking for solutions.

Traffic

Careful consideration will be given to the impact that construction activities will have on vehicle and active transportation, traffic management operations, public and private transit operators, emergency services, residents, and businesses in the vicinity of the bridge.

Environment and sustainability

The replacement of the bridge will be planned to optimize health and safety, environmental protection, and the principles of sustainable development, including resilience, low carbon emissions and waste reduction.

The project team will conduct further studies to understand the potential impacts of the project, for example, on fisheries, archaeology and wildlife.

Life, work and recreation

The replacement of the bridge will be planned to limit the effects of construction (e.g. noise, vibration, dust) and other disruptions to nearby communities, residents and businesses, and visitors to the region.

There may be temporary impacts on access to neighbouring green spaces and the Ottawa River.

• Neighbouring boat launch, wharf and marina: We recognize the importance of recreational and commercial boating in the area and will continue to engage with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities on this matter.

The project is subject to the NCC’s federal approval process.

The purpose of the NCC’s federal land use, design and transaction approval (FLUDTA) review process is to support the protection of the character and national significance of the Capital.

Given the significance and complexity of the Alexandra Bridge replacement project, the FLUDTA process will involve a series of sequential approvals to be considered by the NCC Board of Directors at key milestones of the early bridge design.

The NCC’s Advisory Committee on Planning, Design and Realty will also provide feedback at key design milestones. The committee consists of experts in real estate development; environmental, urban and regional planning; urban design; architecture; and landscape architecture.

There will be several opportunities for members of the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities to provide feedback throughout the various stages of the project. There will be a minimum of five rounds of public consultation, while Indigenous engagement will occur throughout the project phases.

This first round of consultations revealed four key themes:

• the preservation and commemoration of heritage elements and reflection of Indigenous heritage and values, as well as honouring 2SLGBTQI+ lives;
• the importance of building relationships with impacted businesses and residents, and continued engagement throughout the project;
• suggestions to find innovative ways to reduce project impacts, for example, environmental, construction and economic;
• the need for better connections between the bridge, surrounding neighbourhoods and tourist destinations in the area.

Indigenous engagement

A team composed of PSPC and NCC employees has been engaging with 19 communities and organizations, including the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg communities.

Community-led activities are taking place to support the project. This includes activities relating to project impacts, including ecological, socioeconomical, heritage and archeology. We are also engaging on the design of the new bridge and economic participation.

Public advisory group

Since the public advisory group (PAG) was created in fall 2023, the PAG met on three occasions to learn more about different aspects of the project and studies underway, as well as to provide feedback on design objectives, engagement activities and the bridge’s cultural landscape.

Project newsletter

We will send quarterly updates to the project newsletter list. To join our mailing list, please email consultations@ncc-ccn.ca.