Prince of Wales Bridge renamed after Algonquin elder as council approves rehab funding
The Prince of Wales Bridge that spans the Ottawa River via Lemieux Island has been officially renamed after an Algonquin elder and spiritual leader, as the City of Ottawa takes steps to turn the bridge into a corridor for walking, biking, and even cross-country skiing.
City council approved renaming the defunct rail bridge the Chief William Commanda Bridge on Wednesday.
Commanda was chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation from 1951 to 1970 and was a strong supporter of environmental stewardship. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2008.
Council has also approved funding to rehabilitate the bridge—currently off-limits to the public—into a multi-use pathway connecting Ottawa and Gatineau until such a time as it becomes a rail bridge again, which remains the city's ultimate goal.
Council approved more than $8.9 million in municipal funding on Wednesday, to cover the balance of the city’s commitment to the $22.6 million project. The city had already budgeted $5 million to repair the bridge's piers.
The city has applied for federal funding to cover the remainder of the costs. The federal government is expected to announce its share in the coming weeks.
In addition, the city says it will dedicate one per cent of the estimated construction cost to Indigenous art.
Off-limits
The bridge has been a popular destination, despite technically being off-limits to the public, but this has sometimes resulted in tragedy. Two people have died since 2020 after jumping into the river from the bridge.
The plan to convert the bridge into a multi-use pathway would include new railings, but it’s unclear what else would be done to prevent people from jumping off of it.
Construction to start this year: mayor
A timeline for construction has not yet been officially approved. Staff say the project is ready to be tendered and more information will be available once a contract is awarded.
However, Mayor Jim Watson told reporters Wednesday that he expects construction on the rehabilitation to begin this year.
Speaking in French, Watson estimated it would take about a year to complete the project.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air quality advisories issued in 5 provinces, 1 territory
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
Just how bad are ultraprocessed foods? Here are 5 things to know
Many foods fall under the category of ultraprocessed foods, depending on their exact ingredients. This type of food has been studied a lot lately, and the results aren’t great.
No refund for travellers who cancelled flight already scrapped by airline: regulator
Four years on, the controversy over whether airlines owed refunds to passengers after cancelling hundreds of thousands of flights during the pandemic continues to simmer, aggravated by a sluggish, opaque complaints process.
opinion Harry and Meghan's Nigerian adventure: traditional attire to warm welcomes
For her latest column on CTVNews.ca, royal commentator Afua Hagan writes about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's recent visit to Nigeria, calling it a 'deeply meaningful campaign' that was about aligning their ongoing efforts to foster mental-health awareness and promoting the Invictus Games.
Ontario's need for nurses, PSWs to top 33K and 50K by 2032: document
Ontario will need 33,200 more nurses and 50,853 more personal support workers by 2032, the government projects — figures it tried to keep secret but were obtained by The Canadian Press.
'Oh my God, you're my brother': Man in his 70s discovers 6 unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
'It happened so fast': Evacuees describe fleeing Fort Nelson, B.C., wildfire
Thousands have been forced to flee a wildfire burning near Fort Nelson. Meanwhile, some experienced volunteers are staying behind to fight the fire.
Rates of cancer declining in Canada, but more work needed to save lives: projections
A new study projecting declining rates of cancer cases and deaths in Canada demonstrates the success of prevention and early detection programs, but also highlights areas where more work is needed to save and prolong lives, researchers say.
U.S. schools turn to artificial intelligence to spot guns as companies press lawmakers for state funds
Kansas could soon offer up to US$5 million in grants for schools to outfit surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence systems that can spot people carrying guns. But the governor needs to approve the expenditures and the schools must meet some very specific criteria.