Question Period Note: National Capital Region bridges

Budget 2019 provided funding for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge, and the rehabilitation and ongoing maintenance of the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and the Chaudière Crossing. It also provided direction for refreshing technical studies on a potential additional (6th) interprovincial crossing in the National Capital Region and developing a Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan.

• The government continues to improve the condition of interprovincial crossings in the National Capital Region
  • Public Services and Procurement Canada is working closely with the National Capital Commission, the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, and other partners to ensure federal bridges in the National Capital Region are safely and effectively serving Canadians

If pressed on the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan:

• The National Capital Commission developed the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, la Ville de Gatineau, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, transit authorities, and other stakeholders
• The Plan, approved by the National Capital Commission’s Board of Directors in January 2022, confirmed the vision, policies and infrastructure priorities for sustainable interprovincial travel for a 2050 planning horizon
• The Plan will serve to inform decisions around regional transportation in ways that are sustainable, equitable, environmentally sensitive and work towards creating a more liveable and prosperous National Capital Region
• The National Capital Commission will complete a technical update to this Plan based on new regional travel data. This technical update is required to ensure the National Capital Commission can continue to provide the most up-to-date advice, strategies and actions to achieve sustainable interprovincial mobility

If pressed on an additional National Capital Region crossing (i.e., 6th crossing):

• Public Services and Procurement Canada and the National Capital Commission are working in close collaboration through the dedicated project office to coordinate the gathering of new information to help the Government of Canada consider its options for an additional National Capital Region crossing

If pressed on replacing the Alexandra Bridge:

• Planning activities, including an internally led multi-year Impact Assessment process, are underway to replace the Alexandra Bridge, with construction of the new bridge scheduled to begin in 2028. In the meantime, inspections and repair work continue to ensure the bridge remains safe and accessible until it is replaced. The repair work has the added advantage of preparing portions of the structure for its eventual deconstruction
• Public Services and Procurement Canada and the National Capital Commission hosted public consultations in November 2020 and November-December 2021, which included numerous local stakeholder groups and engagement with Indigenous groups
• This engagement will continue throughout the project and will inform the internally led Impact Assessment process and design phases to deliver a new bridge that meets the community’s needs
• In February 2021, Public Services and Procurement Canada published on its website the executive summary of the cost analysis study in order to be transparent about the data behind the decision to replace the bridge, and the Department has since made available other reports and has committed to proactively publish new reports as the project progresses

If pressed on interprovincial tramway connections:

• As announced in Budget 2021, the National Capital Commission has established an interprovincial transit project office within the National Capital Commission that will study and plan for potential interprovincial tramway connections between Ottawa and Gatineau, in addition to consulting and collaborating with municipal, provincial, and transportation partners

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