Ottawa Construction News staff writer
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is teaming up with the Royal Architectural Institute (RAIC) to ensure a new bridge design meets top-notch standards. The collaboration aims to provide professional guidance and take into account important considerations that matter to Canadians.
Ottawa’s Alexandra Bridge, a national historic site in the National Capital Region, links communities on both sides of the Ottawa River. According to Jean-Yves Duclos, minister of public services and procurement, the independent review panel will play a key role in ensuring a reliable and sustainable bridge while respecting the cultural landscapes of the national capital and reflecting Canadian values.
The RAIC has formed an Independent Review Panel made up of experts in various fields such as Indigenous culture, heritage preservation, architecture, engineering, and urban planning. This panel will evaluate design options and offer expert advice on crucial aspects of the project, including recommendations for the preferred concept design.
The public will have the opportunity to participate through consultations starting in late spring/early summer 2024. Feedback received from these consultations will be shared with the Independent Review Panel, which will also consult local Indigenous communities during the design process.
Tobi Nussbaum, CEO of the National Capital Commission (NCC), emphasized the NCC’s collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the natural and cultural character of the National Capital Region. He expressed anticipation for the Independent Review Panel’s contribution in guiding the design elements of the Alexandra Bridge replacement project.
The NCC will review the recommended design concept as part of its regulatory federal approval authority. Meanwhile, PSPC is conducting repair work to maintain the safety of the Alexandra Bridge for commuters while the replacement project is ongoing.
Repair work started in fall 2023 and is expected to conclude in summer 2025.
