Eastern Bridge in the National Capital Region

Learn more about the steps we’re taking to plan for the new Eastern Bridge in the National Capital Region (NCR).

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Project overview

Location
Montée Paiement, Gatineau, Quebec, to Aviation Parkway, Ottawa, Ontario
Type of project
New construction
Lead department
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)
Project status
Pre-planning
Next steps
Planning and design

Project description

We’re working with partners to advance planning and design of the Eastern Bridge for a population that has doubled since the last crossing, the Portage Bridge, was built in 1973 and continues to grow.

Leveraging existing roadways, the new corridor would extend from Autoroute 50 at Montée Paiement in Gatineau, to Highway 417 at the Aviation Parkway in Ottawa. It’s expected to be about 12 kilometres long and would include a new bridge. The bridge is expected to include separate pedestrian and cycling pathways and accommodate public transit, as well as personal and commercial vehicles.

Advantages of a new bridge

There have been many studies looking at building a new bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau. Past studies concluded that we need a new bridge to improve interprovincial transportation and mobility.

Expected project benefits include:

Montée Paiement–Aviation Parkway Corridor

Evidence from evaluations over the last 15 years has consistently recommended the Montée Paiement–Aviation Parkway Corridor.

Enlarged image of the map showing the corridor connecting Montée Paiement in Gatineau, to the Aviation Parkway in Ottawa, as well as the approximative location of the new Eastern Bridge.

In 2024, the government identified the Montée Paiement–Aviation Parkway Corridor as the preferred location due to its potential benefits and lower impacts associated with its construction and operation. As the project will use existing roadways, these include:

Process and next steps

Following the 2024 Fall Economic Statement that announced a commitment to the project, PSPC will continue to work in close collaboration with the National Capital Commission (NCC) as an integrated project team.

The integrated project team will coordinate the gathering of new information, and advance planning and conceptual designs of the bridge. The new studies will include mobility trends and changes such as:

The project will take place in 4 stages:

Stage 1: Pre-planning

Stage 2: Planning and design 

Stage 3: Procurement 

Stage 4: Final design and construction

The project will respect the region’s natural environment and cultural heritage. The scope of the project will be refined following the results of the technical studies, assessments and engagement activities.

Project background

The need for an interprovincial link east of the NCR has been recognized since 1915 to unify the shores of Gatineau and Ottawa and integrate transportation and mobility. Research included:

1915: The Holt-Bennett plan recommended a bridge east of the Gatineau River with a network of highways.

1950: The Greber plan proposed a bridge east of Kettle Island to connect Ottawa and Gatineau in a federal district.

In addition to these reports, the integrated project office has commissioned many studies in recent years, including:

2024: The Government of Canada authorized further studies on the Montée Paiement–Aviation Parkway Corridor, and announced its commitment to an additional multimodal bridge over the Ottawa River in the Fall Economic Statement.

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