Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is speaking out against the need for another interprovincial bridge linking Ottawa and Gatineau.
Watson argues that the costs of the building the bridge, which could range from $500 million to $1 billion, outweigh its benefits.
He also said another bridge will cause more traffic congestion in neighbourhoods that aren't accustomed to it. Watson also said another bridge might encourage more people to live in Gatineau and commute to Ottawa.
Instead of investing mone
Watson opposes new interprovincial bridge
y in the bridge, Watson said the federal government should provide more funds for expanding Ottawa's proposed light rail transit system.
It's a timely announcement from the mayor after hundreds of angry residents protested against another bridge at the Shenkman Arts Centre in Orleans Tuesday while the National Capital Commission was holding its final public consultation before a location for the proposed bridge is chosen.
The three choices up for debate are Kettle Island, Duck Island, or the Gatineau Airport. Ottawa and Gatineau, along with the National Capital Commission, prefer the Kettle Island location to try to move traffic out of Ottawa's downtown core.
Other politicians have spoken out against the bridge including Liberal MPP Phil McNeely.
"We have to stop it now," he said. "It's a bad use of dollars, it's a bad use of capacity."
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Claudia Cautillo
