First glimpse of Alexandra Bridge replacement coming next week

Article content

The public will get its first glimpse of the proposed designs for a new Alexandra Bridge at two open houses next week.

The National Capital Commission and Public Services and Procurement Canada will hold the open houses Wednesday in Gatineau and on Thursday in Ottawa.

The historic steel truss bridge opened in 1901 but after refit after refit, it has reached the end of its life.

Article content

PSPC is leading the bridge replacement project, while the NCC is in charge of a “comprehensive engagement process.”

NCC board members will get a full update on the project at its board meeting on Oct. 1, at which time the proposed designs will be publicly shared.

The Gatineau open house is Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the River View Salon of the Canadian Museum of History. The second open house is Thursday, Oct. 3, in the Gatineau Salon of the Shaw Centre, again from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Online public consultations will run from Oct. 1 to 24.

“For this second round of public consultations, partners, stakeholders and the public will have an opportunity to learn more about the process and provide feedback on various elements of the proposed design concepts. The comments will inform the project team as they further refine the design concepts,” the NCC said in a media release Thursday.

The Alexandra Bridge carries 10 per cent of the daily vehicle traffic between Ottawa and Gatineau, according to PSPC, but corrosion, mainly from road salt, has taken a toll. Other elements of the bridge have buckled and bent. Numerous refits have kept the bridge safe, but are no longer economical, PSPC says.

Share this article in your social network

Source