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Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation

Background
Traffic Volume
Studies and Design
Environmental Considerations
Traffic Working Group
Options Considered for Works Staging
Media Advisories
Feedback and Contacts

Background

Alexandra Bridge, also known as the Interprovincial Bridge, links Sussex Drive in Ottawa to Boulevard Saint-Laurent in Gatineau. It provides a link between the tourist attractions of the Byward Market, Rideau street area and the Museum of Civilization area. The structure has been designated by the Canadian Society of Civil Engineers as a "National Historic Civil Engineering Site". The bridge is owned by the Government of Canada and operated and maintained by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC).

Traffic Volume

The Alexandra Bridge presently carries 10% of the inter-provincial bridge traffic within the National Capital Region with approximately 18,000 vehicles per day crossing the bridge. The bridge also carries 1,300 cyclists and 2,000 pedestrians per day. This represents the highest use of all inter-provincial bridges for cyclists and pedestrians.

Planned Rehabilitation

Though the structure is more than 100 years old, comprehensive detailed inspections, done every two years, along with ongoing maintenance have ensured the safety of the bridge for it's given use. Built in 1900, it underwent a major rehabilitation in 1975, when all deck areas were replaced to accommodate the present lane arrangements and configuration. The bridge was repainted in 1995. While it has received ongoing maintenance to prolong it's serviceable condition, it is now in need of major rehabilitation and upgrades.

The planned rehabilitation will:

• strengthen and retrofit the steel structure and piers and increase their seismic capacity;
• replace the 575 meters long center lane concrete deck;
• install anti-climbing plates where appropriate;
• replace the wooden boardwalk;
• install inspection walkways; and
• install damping mechanisms to address the vibration of the structure.

Studies and Design

PWGSC has initiated a planning study and subsequent detail design for the rehabilitation of the Alexandra Bridge. A consultant-engineering firm has been retained by PWGSC to provide the services for this assignment including the initial planning study, environmental assessment, construction and traffic staging analysis, detail design and construction administration services.

Environmental Considerations

The project is being assessed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and an Environmental Screening Report will be prepared. Comments and information regarding the Environmental Assessment can be provided or obtained through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry (CEAR).

The conceptual and preliminary design for the rehabilitation of the bridge is currently being developed.

Traffic Working Group

Various scenarios are being analysed through a specific traffic working group to ensure traffic impact related to construction is kept at a reasonable level. The preliminary results from these analyses will be presented at the Public Information Meeting.

Options Considered for Works Staging

The construction work is scheduled to start in the spring of 2006 with a fall 2007 completion date. Various vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist traffic management scenarios during the construction period are presently being considered such as:

• boardwalk open, northbound and southbound vehicle lanes closed;
• boardwalk open and maintain all vehicular lanes open on bridge (night time work for deck replacement);
• maintain boardwalk and one lane of traffic in southbound direction at all times;
• maintain boardwalk and one lane of traffic in northbound direction at all times;
• maintain boardwalk and two-way traffic on single lane using traffic signals;
• maintain boardwalk and one lane of traffic alternating in direction (southbound in am and northbound in pm); and
• total bridge closure.

The project is a coordinated effort among traffic control groups and traffic advisory groups from Ottawa and Gatineau . The public will be given advance notice of all closures or lane reductions to allow them to plan alternative routes.

Media Advisories

Public Notice/Alexandra Bridge Lane Closure, June 20, 2005

Public Notice/Alexandra Bridge Lane Closure, June 10, 2005

Public Notice/Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation Public Consultation Meeting

Feedback and Contacts

We are presently seeking comments from the businesses, institutions, users and general public regarding the project, including the possible traffic management scenarios that may impact you and your operations. If you would like to assist in identifying issues, or for more information, please contact us at claude.laviolette@pwgsc.gc.ca.