An interprovincial bridge that has connected downtown Ottawa with Gatineau, Que., for 123 years is reaching the end of its lifespan due to the effects of six decades of road salt, according to federal officials on July 10.
The Alexandra Bridge, which first opened in 1901 to trains, streetcars, and horse-drawn wagons, has now deteriorated to a point where it is no longer maintainable.
“There are no solutions to maintain the bridge,” said Paul LeBrun, the chief engineer for bridges in the Procurement Department.
Although the officials did not disclose an estimated cost for building a new bridge, a 2018 assessment projected it to be around $800 million. However, Mr. LeBrun mentioned that factors like the pandemic and inflation may have impacted these figures over time.
Stefan Dery, the department’s director-general for management of active infrastructure, stated that the project will involve collaboration with a private-sector consortium. Therefore, they are cautious about disclosing specific project numbers as they progress through the competitive selection process.
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The procurement process for the new bridge is set to begin in the fall, allowing the public to provide input on three design options.
A design is expected to be selected by spring 2025, with full approvals in place by spring 2028. Construction is projected to commence in 2028, and the new bridge is anticipated to open in 2032.
During the construction phase, the Alexandra Bridge will need to be dismantled around 2028 or 2029.
“We have implemented several mitigation measures on the bridge to ensure its safety,” Mr. LeBrun reassured.
He also acknowledged the possibility of unexpected repairs or surprises due to the current state of the bridge.
While maintenance work is currently underway on the bridge, it remains closed to vehicles but accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. The completion of this work, initially scheduled for this fall, has been extended until next February.
This timeline will allow the bridge to reopen in time for the commencement of construction on the Chaudières crossing and the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, two of the five vehicle crossings in the National Capital Region.
On a typical day, the Alexandra Bridge accommodates approximately 18,000 vehicles, representing about 10% of the daily crossings on the Ottawa River, as well as 4,000 pedestrians and cyclists.
