The integrated project team, which includes the NCC, PSPC and its technical advisor, has refined the design of the preferred concept for the Alexandra Bridge replacement, which takes into consideration feedback from public consultations, Indigenous communities and advisory committees.

A view from Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau, Quebec, showing the Alexandra Bridge with three undulating arches spanning the Ottawa River. The foreground features park pathways, colourful flowers and lush greenery, while the background includes the Ottawa skyline under a clear sky.

Inspired by nature and the movement of the river, the bridge’s form is defined by three undulating arches. These arches reference the river’s moving water, the contours of the shoreline and escarpment, and the curved facade of the Canadian Museum of History.

These renderings are for presentational/reference purposes. The design builder will further adapt the preferred concept.

Furnishings and seasonal comfort

The bridge features several comfortable seating areas along its length that are designed for pedestrians and wheelchair users. There are also sheltered nooks located under the arches, and shading structures could be provided at seating locations along the bridge. Within the arches, two rows of timber panels provide protection from the wind, with additional wind protection provided at seating locations to improve comfort.

Overhead view of the lookout space, featuring seating areas and people walking through the space and sitting down to enjoy the view. The Gatineau skyline and Jacques Cartier Park are in the background.

The lookout spaces could feature generous seating areas and central lookout points, offering uninterrupted views of the river and the central capital scene. Key seating locations along the bridge would similarly provide sheltered enjoyment of national symbols.

Seating area on a bridge with wooden benches placed under the structure’s curved arches, which provide shade. People are sitting on the benches and walking nearby. Trees and buildings are visible in the background.

Safety and separation of modes of transportation

The bridge has been designed to ensure a seamless connection between the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

The pedestrian space varies in width, from a minimum width of 4.6 metres (plus a 1.9-metre seating zone) to a maximum of 12.0 metres at the two lookout spaces located between the arches. The seating zone below the arches and the wind screen provide continuous separation between the cycleway and pedestrian deck. Bollards demarcate the cycleway at the lookout spaces.

A bridge with three distinct lanes for different modes of transportation. The top lane is for motor vehicles, and cars and a van are visible. The middle lane is designated for cyclists, with several people riding bicycles. The bottom lane is a pedestrian walkway where people are walking and sitting on benches. Each lane is separated by barriers.

The cycleway provides a smooth, straight route across the river, and ample space for cyclists of all experience levels to ride comfortably. With a clear width of 4 metres and 0.5-metre buffer zones on either side, the cycleway is designed to accommodate high traffic volumes in favourable weather, and has space for snow storage in the winter, ensuring safe and reliable year-round access.

View of the cycle path on the bridge from a cyclist’s perspective. The bridge has large, curved support structures and wooden screens along the protective barriers on each side. Several cyclists and pedestrians are on the path. The background includes buildings, greenery, streetlights and red banners hanging from poles along the bridge.

The cycling experience is further improved by raising the cycle path 350 millimetres above the roadway. A concrete safety barrier runs along the cycle path, keeping cyclists separated from vehicles. Vertical panels, mounted on the barrier, block strong winds and improve comfort for riders.

Universal access

The design of the upstream edge of the bridge provides a range of enjoyable experiences for pedestrians and cyclists, from the everyday commuter to the first-time visitor. The railing is designed to be strong and secure, helping those who might find crossing bridges intimidating, while transparency is provided to allow all users to enjoy views. 

View of the pedestrian approach from Gatineau. The bridge’s railing is in the foreground. People are walking on the bridge. The surrounding area includes green space with flowers and trees. The Ottawa skyline is visible in the background under a clear sky.

At four locations along the bridge—at the ends and at the public spaces—there are locations for cyclists to dismount and safely enter the pedestrian path. These exits are indicated with contrasting surface finishes and textures, including tactile markers at thresholds and around obstacles, such as seating and lamp posts. Every access point to the deck will be level to allow those requiring mobility aids to navigate them easily.

The lookout space is on the left, the walkway is in the centre and the cycleway is on the right. The lookout space has a wooden surface with railings overlooking the river. The walkway in the centre has a brick-like pattern and is used by pedestrians. The cycleway on the right has a smoother surface for cyclists. People are walking and cycling, respectively, on these paths. Buildings and bridge arches are visible in the background.

The design of the new bridge will present a significant acoustic improvement compared to that of the existing Alexandra Bridge. The new continuous asphalt roadway will be more beneficial than the open steel grillage roadway on the existing bridge, reducing overall noise emissions and creating a quieter, more comfortable environment for all users, including individuals with sensory sensitivities or hearing impairments.

Shoreline connectivity

The Ottawa River (Kichi Zībī) provides a rich and diverse natural setting for the Alexandra Bridge, which remains a key feature of the landscape in the National Capital Region. The river’s shoreline features a variety of settings, from wooded and rocky natural sites to landscaped parks with open lawns, pathways and cultural landmarks.

View of the riverbank and bridge from Jacques Cartier Park. The foreground features a paved pathway where people are walking, biking and using scooters. There is greenery and flowering plants on both sides of the path, and trees lining the area. The city skyline is visible in the distance beyond the bridge.

Representative of the area’s resilience and biodiversity amid an urban setting, the Ottawa River corridor is home to the natural habitats for many species while also providing continuous connections to the multi-use paths along its shoreline. 

View of the riverbank in Gatineau and the bridge spanning the river. A pathway connects the bridge to the multi-use pathways. People are walking, cycling and enjoying the pathways along the shore. The area is landscaped with greenery and flowers. Buildings and structures are visible across the water.

The bridge approaches are positioned sensitively on the river’s shorelines and escarpment, maintaining a cohesive, green, connected corridor, while also enhancing existing pathways and supporting the development of new connections.

Pathway continuing under the bridge approach in Gatineau and connecting to the Voyageurs pathway. People are walking and biking on the pathway, surrounded by greenery and trees. The bridge structure with concrete supports and metal railings is visible.

The pathways along the shorelines connect users to Confederation Boulevard, the capital’s ceremonial and discovery route, and its surrounding landmarks, including the Canadian Museum of History and Jacques-Cartier Park along the north shore of the river, and Kìwekì Point and Major’s Hill Park on the south shore.

These connections, both improved existing pathways and new connections, shall be direct, visible and safe in all seasons, offering an inviting, accessible and comfortable user experience along the north shore, south shore and under the bridge for both pedestrians and cyclists.

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