Downtown Ottawa will see a 'significant volume' of trucks even if sixth bridge is built, NCC report says
As the National Capital Commission launches new public consultations on future interprovincial crossings between Ottawa and Gatineau, a draft report concludes a sixth bridge over the Ottawa River would not drive significant truck traffic out of the downtown core.
The NCC is looking at building a new interprovincial bridge connecting Ottawa and Gatineau as part of the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan. Several of the five current crossings are expected to reach capacity by 2031.
According to the draft plan published to the NCC's website this week, a new bridge will not alleviate truck traffic in the downtown core.
"Building a new crossing would divert some heavy truck demand," said the report. "However, there would still be a significant volume of heavy trucks in the core."
The report from IBI Group for the NCC says based on current projections, a new interprovincial crossing in the east end would divert 15 per cent of heavy truck traffic downtown by 2050, while a new crossing in the west end would reduce truck traffic downtown by eight per cent.
"To achieve greater reductions and better manage goods movement, more measures will be required," said the report. "For example, changes in logistics practices or in truck routes."
The study did find that a traffic tunnel would reduce interprovincial heavy truck volumes in the core by approximately 33 per cent by 2050. However, the study notes it would not provide alternative routes for truck travel across the Ottawa River, "further increasing the reliance of goods movement on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge."
More than 51,000 trips were made every morning rush hour between Ottawa and Gatineau on the five interprovincial bridges before the start of the pandemic. The draft plan notes traffic capacity "is approached or exceeded" on all five crossings in the morning rush hour period.
Morning rush hour congestion is expected to grow by 53 per cent on interprovincial bridges between 2011 and 2050, even with transit improvements and assumed increases in work-from-home levels following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCC has been looking at possibly building a sixth interprovincial crossing over the Ottawa River for decades, most recently located near Kettle Island in Ottawa's east end.
Mayor Jim Watson reiterated on Wednesday he is opposed to a sixth crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau.
"There's opposition to another bridge, especially in the Kettle Island. There's not a lot of support for another bridge – either here or in the province," said Watson in French.
"I will continue with this opposition."
The report does say more roads and bridges will not be enough to deal with congestion and travel times as the population grows.
"It is important to recognize that accommodating growth in travel demand solely through building more vehicular lanes will only lead to further congestion," said the report. "Transit, walking and cycling would be more attractive if they provide more reliable and time-competitive travel options."
PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
The NCC launched public consultations this week on the draft plan for its long-term integrated interprovincial crossing plan for the capital region.
The NCC says the plan sets a blueprint for collaboration with partnering agencies to establish a shared long-term vision and strategies for interprovincial transport of people and goods in the region. It will include short-term strategies, medium term strategies for shifting interprovincial travel behaviour and long-term strategies.
For more information, visit ncc-ccn.gc.ca.
The NCC plan acknowledges the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an accelerated shift to remote working, but the long-term impact is still unknown.
The final draft plan will be presented to the NCC's Board of Directors in January.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE AT 2:30 2-hour wildfire evacuation notice issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods
A wildfire evacuation alert for some Fort McMurray residents has been updated to a two-hour evacuation notice.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.
Protesters gather at Ottawa City Hall after Israeli flag raised to mark country's national day
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
8 dead, at least 40 injured as farmworkers' bus overturns in central Florida
A bus carrying farmworkers in central Florida overturned on Tuesday, killing eight people and injuring about 40 other passengers, authorities said.