Gatineau MP calls for changes to traffic flow on Champlain Bridge during construction

A Gatineau MP has launched a petition to call on the National Capital Commission to open both lanes of the Champlain Bridge to Ottawa-bound traffic during the morning commute.
Only one lane of traffic is open to both Ottawa-bound and Gatineau-bound traffic while construction is underway on the interprovincial bridge. The NCC launched the second and final phase of its rehabilitation project on the Champlain Bridge on March 20, which includes repaving, concrete deck repairs and waterproofing, and bike lane improvements.
Hull-Aylmer MP Greg Fergus has launched a petition to open both lanes of the bridge in the same direction during the morning rush-hour to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
Fergus says the current plan for one lane in each direction is resulting in "severe traffic congestion" during the morning rush hour, which is causing delays for commuters and increasing fuel consumption, air pollution and the risk of accidents.
"By temporarily changing traffic management, we can have a significant positive impact on the daily lives of thousands of commuters, while promoting environmental sustainability and road safety," the petition says.
"We therefore urge the NCC to consider our proposal to improve the daily lives of thousands of drivers, while promoting environmental sustainability and road safety."
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Fergus says while the rehabilitation project is good for the bridge, the traffic flow is causing concerns.
"The simple solution is during the morning rush hours, to have both lanes heading towards Ottawa," says Fergus, whose asking people to contact the NCC and their city councillor to call for the change.
The NCC says Phase 2 of the rehabilitation project will last until November.
The agency does warn motorists can expect delays as the open lanes on the Champlain Bridge will be "narrower", and the maximum speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nova Scotians’ personal information stolen in global security breach: province
A global security breach has resulted in the theft of an undisclosed number of Nova Scotians’ personal information.

Canada sticking with 2050 net zero targets, but progress may come faster than expected, minister says
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the federal government is not ruling out finding ways to achieve net zero sooner than the existing 2050 goal, but would not say whether there would be a definitive commitment to move up the target.
Increase in mosquitoes 'a trend' across Canada this year. Here's why
Mosquitoes have always been pesky, but this spring it seems the bloodsuckers are thirstier than ever, a trend one expert says is increasing.
Fishing tragedy in northeastern Que.: Support workers dispatched to local schools
Support services will be offered at three Quebec schools on Monday after a tragic fishing incident claimed the lives of four children. The children, all above age ten, were among a group of 11 people swept up by the tide late Friday night while fishing along the shore in Portneuf-sur-Mer, a village about 550 kilometres northeast of Montreal. A man in his 30s also died.
China rebukes U.S., Canadian navies for Taiwan Strait transit
China's military rebuked the United States and Canada for 'deliberately provoking risk' after the countries' navies staged a rare joint sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
What to know as Prince Harry prepares for court fight with British tabloid publisher
Prince Harry is set to testify in the first of his five pending legal cases largely centred around battles with British tabloids. Opening statements are scheduled Monday in his case.
Apple is expected to unveil a sleek, pricey headset. Is it the device VR has been looking for?
Apple appears poised to unveil a long-rumoured headset that will place its users between the virtual and real world, while also testing the technology trendsetter's ability to popularize new-fangled devices after others failed to capture the public's imagination.
Ukrainian father rushes home after Russian airstrike to find 2-year-old daughter dead in rubble
A Ukrainian man rushed to his home outside the central city of Dnipro in hopes of rescuing his family, only to find his two-year-old daughter dead and wife seriously wounded as he helped pull them from the rubble of their apartment destroyed in one of Russia's latest airstrikes of the war, authorities reported Sunday.
Huda Mukbil, CSIS's first Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy, opens up about her fight against terrorism and discrimination
Huda Mukbil, Canada's first Black Arab-Canadian Muslim spy, opens up in her new book about life in the world of espionage and the discrimination she faced within the CSIS.