The Government of Canada is replacing the Alexandra Bridge, an architectural icon in the National Capital Region (NCR), which is more than 120 years old and nearing the end of its life cycle.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), in collaboration with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), is driving the design planning of the new and improved bridge forward. To ensure the new bridge meets the highest design standards and incorporates diverse considerations, the RAIC has convened an Independent Review Panel (IRP). Comprising experts in Indigenous culture, heritage preservation, architecture, engineering, and urban planning, the IRP will meticulously examine design options and provide critical advice, shaping the preferred concept design.
Anticipating public engagement, consultations are slated to kick off in late spring/early summer 2024, inviting feedback on the proposed designs. This inclusive approach extends to local Indigenous communities, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered throughout the design process.
Tobi Nussbaum, chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Capital Commission (NCC), expressed enthusiasm about the IRP’s role, emphasizing the unique opportunity to reimagine the vital connection between Ottawa and Gatineau.
The bridge’s replacement was highlighted in budget 2019 and reiterated in the 2021 mandate letter. The NCC’s board of directors has greenlit planning and design principles for the project, providing guidance on heritage protection, urban design, and sustainability.
As the project progresses, repair work is underway to keep the Alexandra Bridge operational and safe until the new structure’s completion. This initiative is a stride towards enhanced connectivity and revitalizes an iconic architectural structure in the heart of Canada’s capital region.Top of Form
NCC once again aims to destroy an iconic part of Ottawa’s history.imagine if Sydney tore down its bridge for some drab functional concrete “modern” bridge? We’d better not let them tear it down without contracts in place for a replacement or we will end up ala Le Breton Flats with nothing for the next 60 years!