This Environmental Assessment (EA) Study is a component of the long-term transportation planning by the Federal, Provincial and Municipal authorities in the National Capital Region (NCR). The purpose of this Study is to assess three potential interprovincial bridge locations and the corridors leading to and from them.
A new bridge will be an important addition to the Region’s landscape and will shape the development, growth and vibrancy of the area, for well into the future. As the Region will experience considerable increases in population and employment, a new bridge will be essential in helping to alleviate transportation issues resulting from that growth. In addition, there are major commercial and social exchanges between Ontario and Quebec, and specifically between the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. A new bridge will be a major facilitator for a more integrated economy and an enhanced cultural and social cohesion between both cities.
The Study is made up of two phases. Phase 1, which was completed in January 2009, looked at the need and timing for new interprovincial crossings and evaluated a number of corridors throughout the Region. Now at Phase 2, the Study is looking more closely at the three locations which received the highest ratings at Phase 1:
- Kettle Island
- Lower Duck Island
- Gatineau Airport/McLaurin Bay.
This second phase of the EA Study will take approximately four years to complete and will involve extensive public consultations at each stage of the process. Phase 2A is scheduled to be completed in June 2010. Phase 2B is anticipated to begin in late 2010 and to end in 2013.
Given the significant impact of a new crossing, the Study Partners want to ensure that proper public consideration is given to developing a selection process that will lead to the best decision possible on the future bridge’s location. As a result, Phase 2A was launched in October 2009 with the mandate to consult with communities, stakeholders and members of the public to obtain their input into the development of the Study Design (methodology for selecting a location) that will be used at Phase 2B, the final step in the EA. No decision on the bridge location will be taken at Phase 2A; the actual selection will be the focus of Phase 2B.
Please visit the Public Consultation page to find out about current and future opportunities for contributing to this project.
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This Environmental Assessment (EA) Study is being directed by a Steering Committee (SC) under the funding partnership of the National Capital Commission (NCC), the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and the ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ). It is being guided by a Study Team consisting of the funding partners and the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau.
A consulting team lead by Co-Enterprise AECOM - Delcan has been retained for Phase 2A. The consulting team also includes PACE Public Affairs & Community Engagement and Simbal, who will be leading the project’s public and stakeholder consultation program.