Gap finally bridged

Riverside South-Barrhaven link over river gets city approval

(April 2, 2009 by Derek Puddicombe, Ottawa Sun) -- Riverside South residents will soon have a bridge to somewhere.

After years of waiting for a link to South Nepean over the Rideau River, the city has made its decision on the final design of the Strandherd-Armstrong bridge, which will connect Riverside South with Barrhaven and provide the much-needed "missing link" to the city's south-end transit system.

The city has approved an above-deck triple-arch-style bridge that will "act as a gateway to the nation's capital," according to a city document obtained by the Sun.

The chosen design, for which there is $48 million (in 2007 dollars) budgeted, scored higher in the list of criteria than a below-deck arch-frame bridge design that was also in the running.

10-LANES WIDE

The bridge will connect with Prince of Wales Dr. on the north side of the Rideau River just west of the Chapman Mills Conservation Area and with Earl Armstrong Rd. on the south side just west of Riverside South.

The proposed bridge scored high for its cost, ease of construction, and pedestrian-friendly design, which blends in with the heritage of the river.

The bridge will have 10 lanes to accommodate traffic -- five for each direction, including three lanes for car and truck traffic, one for transit and a lane for cyclists.

Pedestrian sidewalks are also included in the plans and will be located on the outside east and west sections of the bridge.

"I think this will be an important gateway into the City of Ottawa," said Gloucester-South Nepean Coun. Steve Desroches, who represents about 4,000 residents living in Riverside South.

The document says the tender for the bridge will go out for bid next February. Construction is expected to begin later in the year or in 2011.

100-YEAR LIFE CYCLE

To keep costs down over the life of the bridge, the city says it's important to keep the structure "light," but the materials will be "high quality durable materials to minimize 100-year life-cycle cost."

Desroches said the bridge will help move along plans to bring light-rail transit to his community and will connect with park-and-ride lots planned for the area.

"This bridge is the missing link for improving transit and critical in connecting the two communities (Barrhaven and Riverside South)," he said.

The bridge will also relieve traffic on the Hunt Club bridge and the bridge in nearby Manotick, Desroches said. It will also help police, paramedics and firefighters respond to calls in the city's south end.

There is a public meeting today from 5-7 p.m. at the Walter Baker Centre in Barrhaven to discuss plans to extend Strandherd Dr. to Prince of Wales Dr., where the bridge will connect in South Nepean.

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