NCC report revives debate over proposed east-end interprovincial bridge
By Joshua MaranoOpens in new window
Published: December 06, 2025 at 4:28PM EST
long-debated National Capital Commission (NCC) involved
connect Ottawa’s Aviation Parkway to Gatineau’s Montée Paiement corridor, crossing the Ottawa River via Kettle Island.
reduce heavy truck traffic downtown
major impacts on neighbourhood roads.
online survey polled 5,113 people from Ontario and Quebec. According to the NCC, the most significant benefit indicated by respondents was reducing truck traffic by through Ottawa’s downtown core, ranked as a top priority by 38.5% of participants.
Other hoped-for advantages included shorter commute times (17.9%) and improved public transit connections (14.2%).
25.6% of respondents pointed to potential traffic impacts on nearby neighbourhoods as their biggest worry, while 18.9% percent feared construction-related disruptions and 16.9% feared congestion on local roads.
federal government included planning for an interprovincial crossing in its 2024 Fall Economic statement
Manor Park community Guy Brunet says he’s concerned the bridge could intensify congestion that is already growing.
Ottawa Councillor Stéphanie Plante of Rideau-Vanier ward, says she is strongly in favour of the project.
Beacon Hill-Cyrville councillor Tim Tierney argues the project’s estimated $4-billion -To address problem one, working with the province, hopefully they will look to go ahead and proceed with some kind of ring road in the south end of the city.”
A report released by the NCC last year found that approximately 3,500 trucks cross the Ottawa River each day, with 72% of them using the Macdonald Cartier Bridge.
My view:
The bridge is needed, is coming and politicians must be prepared to make the best of it. Lead...do not follow. Get the best you can from it.
