Gatineau access to Chief William Commanda Bridge to be closed next week

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Pedestrians and cyclists using the new Chief William Commanda Bridge will experience some temporary frustration next week as part of an effort to improve overall access and safety.

The northern entrance and exit to the bridge, at the intersection with Gatineau’s Voyageurs Parkway, will be closed from Tuesday through next Friday (May 14-17). The bridge spanning the Ottawa River and connecting to the pathway on the Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway on the Ottawa side will not be accessible from the Gatineau side. Those travelling from the Ottawa side will not be able to exit onto the Voyageurs Parkway.

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Barriers will be in place as construction crews improve that intersection.

Chief William Commanda Bridge
A file photo shows the Gatineau-side view of the Chief William Commanda Bridge spanning the Ottawa River. Photo by Julie Oliver /Postmedia

The $23.9-million bridge, which provides spectacular views of Parliament Hill to the east, was officially opened last August. Regular users have expressed safety concerns about the Gatineau-side transition due to extensive bike traffic and poor signage on a hilly stretch of the Voyageurs Parkway.

Signage is to be installed on both sides of the bridge indicating that the north end of the bridge is closed next week and there will be no access to the Voyageurs Pathway.

The bridge is to be re-opened on May 18.

This Saturday also marks the start of the National Capital Commission’s annual Weekend Bikedays and the closure of roads to vehicle traffic. The two westbound lanes on the Kichi Zibi Mikan parkway between Vimy Place and Carling Avenue will be open only to cyclists from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cyclists will also have access to the Sir Etienne Cartier Parkway on the south side of the Ottawa River between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cars will not be allowed on a stretch of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway between Fifth Avenue and Somerset Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In July and August, vehicle traffic will be prohibited on the Driveway from Somerset to the Pretoria Bridge.

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