Ottawa opens Chief William Commanda Bridge for the spring
The Chief William Commanda Bridge is now open for the season, following a winter of complaints that the popular bridge over the Ottawa River was closed to the public.
The city of Ottawa announced the bridge opened Monday morning for the spring, but the bridge remaining open will depend on the weather.
"We will continue to monitor the weather and the bridge condition to ensure the bridge surface remains safe for users," Alain Gonthier, Public Works general manager, said in a statement.
"In the event of a weather event or drop in temperature causing snow and/or ice accumulation on the bridge deck, staff may be required to temporarily close the bridge until conditions allow for safe pedestrian and cycling access."
Several cyclists and pedestrians were seen already taking advantage of the newly opened bridge on Monday.
“We do a lot of cycling in the city, so we are really looking forward to this," said cyclist Anthony Leaning.
Cyclist Rebecca Aird was also happy to see the bridge open again.
"It connects up to the Portage Trail on the other side, which is gorgeous and goes all the way up to Aylmer. It's just a spectacular view of the river," Aird said.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe was one of the first people on the newly opened bridge Monday morning, posting a photo on social media.
The city closed the Chief William Commanda Bridge in November for the winter, saying the multi-use pathway was not designed for winter use and that traditional plowing and salting would damage the structure.
The $23.9 million pedestrian-cycling bridge opened in August.
In a memo to council last week, Gonthier says staff will continue to explore the potential for winter use of the bridge.
"The 2023/2024 winter season saw below average snowfall and higher than normal temperatures across the city," Gonthier said.
"As a result of these atypical weather patterns, staff were unable to accurately assess the feasibility of alternate winter maintenance activities, as well as the potential use of the bridge for recreational activities (e.g: cross-country skiing)."
Coun. Ariel Troster says staff were hoping snow would allow the path to be groomed as a cross-country trail, but not enough fell this year.
"I think it's a good time for staff to reconvene with counselors who are interested and also biking and skiing and other recreational groups to talk through the options to figure out how we can keep it open either year round or most of the year round," Troster told CTV News.
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Peter Szperling
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members today during a ceremony at British Columbia's legislature cenotaph commemorating the Second World War's Battle of the Atlantic.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.