Interprovincial Bridge Study

In 1965, the current Macdonald-Cartier Bridge was completed. The original plan was to link this bridge to the 417 by way of a freeway through Lowertown and Sandy Hill. Fortunately, although east Lowertown was ravaged by urban renewal, Sandy Hill was saved and the freeway through downtown was never built. Another alternative considered was a bridge crossing over the Rideau River and connecting to the Vanier Parkway, but this option was also cancelled. As an interim solution, King Edward Avenue and east Lowertown became the “short-term” compromise for moving large amounts of commuter and truck traffic. The community is still suffering greatly, because of this temporary solution. The City of Ottawa Transportation Master plan states that the truck route would be removed from downtown once a new bridge is built in the east end. Members of both the Lowertown Community Association and King Edward Avenue Task Force are taking part in the current study.

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