Question Period Note: National Capital Region bridges

Context

Budget 2019 provided funding to replace the Alexandra Bridge, to refresh studies on a 6th crossing, to develop a long-term integrated interprovincial crossing plan and to support rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of existing National Capital Region (NCR) crossings.

• The government will continue to improve crossings in the NCR
  • Work is advancing on Budget 2019 commitments to replace the Alexandra Bridge, and we are addressing the demonstrated need for an additional NCR crossing with a long-term integrated interprovincial crossing plan led by the National Capital Commission (NCC)
  • As well, we are investing to rehabilitate and maintain the crossings, including the Chaudière and Macdonald-Cartier bridges

If pressed on a 6th crossing:

• The intention is to move forward with the planning of a new 6th crossing which will help reduce congestion, improve fluidity and increase transportation options throughout the region
• Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the NCC awarded contracts to WSP Canada Group Limited to provide a concept design and costing report, and refresh technical studies. All reports were finalized in May 2020. A summary is expected to be made public shortly

If pressed on replacing the Alexandra Bridge:

• A 2018 Life Cycle Cost Analysis looked at the options for investing in the Alexandra Bridge over the long term
• The study determined that replacing the bridge would be less disruptive to the public than trying to maintain the existing bridge, while also more cost effective
• Given this, PSPC has begun activities related to planning, environmental assessment and design, to replace the bridge
• Planning, design and construction of a new crossing to replace the Alexandra Bridge is expected to take 10 years. In the meantime, inspections and repair work continue to ensure the bridge remains safe and accessible for pedestrians and cyclists until its replacement

If pressed on the program of work:

• PSPC is working closely with the NCC and the Cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, to ensure that federal bridges in the NCR are safely and effectively serving Canadians, and that lane closures are properly co-ordinated

If pressed on the long-term integrated interprovincial crossings plan:

• The NCC is responsible for the long-term integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, la Ville de Gatineau, provinces of Ontario and Quebec, transit authorities, and other stakeholders
  • To ensure success of the crossings plan, the NCC amended content of the initial tender based on comments received from stakeholders and re-launched the Request For Proposals for the long-term integrated Interprovincial Plan. A contract was awarded in Spring 2020 and work is progressing well

There are five crossings in the NCR. PSPC manages and operates Alexandra Bridge (built in 1900), Chaudière Crossing (portions built in 1828, and Union Bridge built in 1919) and Macdonald-Cartier Bridge (built in 1965). The NCC manages and operates the Champlain Bridge and the Portage Bridge.

The five crossings are currently at full capacity at peak travel periods (average daily traffic on all crossings: 187,000 vehicles daily; 9,000 using active transportation). Transportation studies conducted over the last ten years have consistently shown that the existing Ottawa River crossings and connecting roadways are at full capacity during morning and evening peak travel times.

Alexandra Bridge condition

A 2017 third-party Life-Cycle Cost Assessment concluded that replacing the 118-year-old Alexandra Bridge is the most cost-effective alternative, as it will have reached the end of its life span within the next ten years. A recent structural evaluation of the bridge (completed in March 2020) revealed that due to the deterioration of several bridge members, load restrictions were required. A recent inspection revealed that certain of those bridge members required urgent temporary repair, requiring the closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic until the repairs were completed on May 24, 2020. Other repair projects are planned and will be completed to ensure the bridge remains safe and accessible for pedestrians and cyclists until its replacement.

Sixth crossing

Budget 2019 announced that the Government of Canada will address the ongoing need for a 6th interprovincial crossing in the NCR. PSPC is currently working with the NCC to refresh studies. A 6th crossing would help to reduce congestion, improve fluidity and increase transportation options throughout the region.

Long Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan

Budget 2019 also announced that PSPC would be working with NCC to develop a Long Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan. The result of this Plan will be a long-term strategy with a vision and approaches for all parties to build on past successes and move forward to meet new and emerging challenges. The Plan will set long-term targets as well as provide options on how we may achieve the vision, and address the following:

• Sustainable choices of interprovincial mobility
• Regional transition toward low-carbon and climate-resilient mobility networks/systems
• Improving interprovincial mobility of people and “people capacity”
• Alternatives for interprovincial heavy truck movement in the core area

Timing

We are at the preliminary phases of Alexandra Bridge replacement and the Sixth Crossing projects:

• PSPC and the NCC are working to develop a project brief to support the environmental assessment of the Alexandra Bridge replacement
• Thirteen studies conducted in 2013 have been refreshed and cost estimates have been updated based on refined design concepts, as well as partial costing information

Other bridge projects

In addition to the studies and projects listed above, the government will support the rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of NCR crossings, including the Alexandra Bridge, Chaudière Crossing and Macdonald-Cartier bridge, by providing up to $80.4 million over 10 years.

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