Question Period Note: Additional Bridge in the East

The need for an additional interprovincial bridge east of the National Capital Region (NCR) is essential to address population growth and transportation needs, reduce congestion, and foster economic and development opportunities.

• Public Services and Procurement Canada is actively taking steps to address population and economic growth through focused investments in improving and increasing the crossing infrastructure capacity in the National Capital Region
• An Additional Bridge in the East of the National Capital Region will provide improved interprovincial connectivity, connect communities of common culture and language in Ontario and Quebec, and drive increased regional economic growth
• Public Services and Procurement Canada is now proceeding with pre-planning activities, including advancing the impact assessment, developing preliminary designs, and performing public and Indigenous consultations on the Montée Paiement - Aviation Parkway Corridor

The National Capital Region of Canada has long recognized the need for additional interprovincial connections to accommodate growing population and transportation demands. Since 1915, there has been an ongoing call to unify the shores of Gatineau and Ottawa through integrated transportation and mobility solutions. The existing five federal vehicular interprovincial crossings, which include the Alexandra Bridge, Chaudière Crossing, Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, Champlain Bridge, and Portage Bridge, were built in eras when the region had significantly fewer residents and commuters.

These bridges, now aging and operating at full capacity, facilitate close to 180,000 vehicles daily, with an additional 10,000 using active transportation such as cycling and walking. The existing NCR infrastructure struggles to cope with increasing traffic, especially during peak travel times, and heavy truck traffic continues to be a major issue in downtown Ottawa. The closure of the Alexandra Bridge for repairs has further intensified the pressure on the remaining crossings.

• Budget 2019 and 2021 commitments identified the need for an additional interprovincial bridge between Quebec and Ontario to respond to growing population and transportation needs
• In June 2024, the Government of Canada made the decision to advance planning of the design and construction of an additional interprovincial bridge in the east of the NCR, along the Montée Paiement - Aviation Parkway Corridor