Ottawa Queensway Downtown Bridges Environmental Assessment Study
Welcome to the website for the Ottawa Queensway (Highway 417) Downtown Bridges Environmental Assessment Study (G.W.P. 4170-13-00). This website has been established to provide project information and collect your comments on the study. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained BT Engineering (BTE) to assist with this study. MTO, as the project proponent, is undertaking a Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (Group ‘B’ Project) Study to define a management plan for 7 bridges on the Ottawa Queensway from Metcalfe Street to Main Street. These downtown bridges are located at 4 sites, with the Queensway overpass of the Rideau Canal at the centre of the Study Area.
The bridges under study include overpasses at:
- Metcalfe Street (1 bridge)
- Elgin Street (Eastbound and Westbound bridges)
- Rideau Canal (Eastbound and Westbound bridges)
- Main Street (Eastbound and Westbound bridges)
The purpose of the study is to define an action plan for these bridges that builds on the previous MTO corridor Environmental Assessment (EA) study completed in 2007. The 2007 study recommended minor lane widenings associated with freeway speed change lanes for the Metcalfe Street exit in the study area. MTO is now developing a bridge management plan that will include recommendations for immediate, short term (20 year) and long term (beyond 20 years) planning horizons. The plan is expected to determine any needs for immediate bridge work, and then establish subsequent rehabilitation plans or replacement strategies for each site based on economic, safety and durability considerations. These decisions will also be made considering community input and environmental effects.
The Study has been extended to allow for further assessment of alternatives and public consultation following PIC No. 2, to respond to comments from the public and the City of Ottawa. The assessment of Refinement Alternatives were presented at PIC No. 3 in November 2022. The Transportation Environmental Study Report will present the Recommended Plan for comments in Summer/Fall 2023.