A bridge not far? NCC promising update on 6th crossing

The National Capital Commission (NCC) is promising an update early in the new year on the ongoing effort to build a new bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau.

The federal government revived the idea of a sixth interprovincial span in its budget last March, and tasked the NCC with refreshing its controversial reportfrom 2013 that called for a crossing atKettle Island in the capital's east end.

• Budget calls for new bridges, but contains few details

NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum says that updatedstudy will be made public in early 2020. The federal government is expected to make a decision on a sixthbridge later next year.

"If the government does proceed, we'll have to work very, very closely with our municipal partners. You can't do that alone," said Nussbaum, a former Ottawa city councillor.

Transportation blueprint

The NCCis also seeking aconsulting firmto come up with a blueprintfor how Ottawa, Gatineau and their respective provinces can come together on an integrated transportation plan for the capital.

The tangled jurisdictions present a unique challenge, according to the tender notice, because of the various players responsible for the region's bridges, highways, roads and pathways.

For example, Gatineau wants to use the NCC's Portage Bridge for trams ortrains, while the City of Ottawa's unused Prince of Wales rail bridge is being considered for a multi-use pathway.

At the same time, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) plans to replacethe118-year-old Alexandra Bridge, affecting traffic for at least three years while it's closed.

"In the past we've worked ... separately. Now we'll plan transportation together, and that, I think, is the key to success," said Gatineau mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin.

The winning firmwill need to recommend how to best move people around the regionin a way that considers climate change targetsand trends such as electric and autonomousvehicles.

That long-term strategy is due by June 2021.