Additional crossing in the National Capital Region
Learn more about the steps we’re taking to gather more information to make an informed decision about a new crossing in the National Capital Region (NCR).
On this page
Project description
There have been many studies looking at building a new crossing in the east of the region, between Ottawa and Gatineau. All of these studies concluded that we need a new bridge to improve interprovincial transportation, and an evaluation of potential corridors was undertaken.
An added crossing in the east of the NCR will provide an important link for communities on both sides of the Ottawa River. The population has doubled since the Portage Bridge was built in 1973 (the latest crossing). The new crossing is also expected to reduce the number of trucks that pass through the Ottawa downtown core.
We’re working with partners to assess the best options to build a new crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau. Additional planning work will address new information gathered from public consultations, impact assessments and technical studies. The scope of the project will be refined as needed following the results of the studies.
Potential corridor
In 2009, the National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with the Province of Ontario and the Province of Quebec, undertook a technical study on a possible new crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau. The study evaluated 10 potential corridors.
In 2013, further planning studies were undertaken on the 3 highest-ranked potential corridors. In 2019 and 2020, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the NCC refreshed the technical studies on the following 3 potential corridors:
- Kettle Island
- Lower Duck Island
- McLaurin Bay
Refresh of technical studies for a sixth interprovincial crossing (April 2020)
In June 2024, the Government of Canada authorized further studies on the Kettle Island corridor. This corridor would provide alternative transportation routes that would address peak travel times and truck congestion in the downtown cores. It would also provide an alternative pathway for public transit and active transportation, such as cycling or walking.
Working together
As part of an integrated project office, PSPC and the NCC will continue to work together to gather new information. The integrated project office consists of experts from both PSPC and the NCC. It was created in fall 2021. The project office will help ensure that we:
- make an informed recommendation on how a new crossing in the NCR can be built
- respect the region’s natural environment and cultural heritage
The public, Indigenous communities and stakeholders will have the opportunity to share feedback and considerations. In the coming years, there will be public consultation and engagement activities.
Studies and reports
The integrated project office has commissioned many studies in recent years. These studies will help us plan for and make decisions about the additional crossing. On top of the refreshed studies, the project office will use the results of the:
- revised Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan, which considers new information from the:
- Origin-Destination Survey, led by the TRANS Committee, of which the NCC is a member agency
- Interprovincial Truck Survey, conducted by the NCC in 2023 and completed in July 2024
- geotechnical study completed in 2023 to understand whether a site may be appropriate to support the structure of a potential crossing (report expected to be available in fall 2024)
The refreshed studies will include new mobility trends for the future, as well as changes that could impact the previous findings, such as up-to-date information on:
- population
- employment
- environmental and climate change trends
- economic growth
- land development patterns
Available studies and reports: An additional National Capital Region crossing
More information
Author
Page details
- Date modified: