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OTTAWA — Public Services and Procurement Canada has enlisted the help of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) to offer design guidance for a new crossing of the Ottawa River in the National Capital Region to replace the Alexandra Bridge.

As a result of an expression of interest, the RAIC has assembled an independent review panel that will provide professional guidance “throughout the elaboration of design solutions and ensuring that the new bridge design meets the highest possible design standards and incorporates important considerations that Canadians share,” stated a release.

Experts in Indigenous culture and values, heritage preservation, architecture, engineering and urban planning among others will contribute. The panel will examine design options created by a technical adviser and provide advice, including recommendations on the preferred concept design.

Public consultations are expected to begin in late spring or early summer 2024. Input from the public consultations and also Indigenous consultation will be evaluated by the RAIC review panel.

The Alexandra Bridge is more than 120 years old and is nearing the end of its lifecycle. The government mandated the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge in Budget 2019. 

In June 2021, the NCC’s board of directors approved the planning and design principles for the replacement of the Alexandra Bridge.

“The Alexandra Bridge is a national historic site in the National Capital Region, connecting communities on both sides of the Ottawa River,” stated Minister of Public Services and Procurement Jean-Yves Duclos in a statement. “The independent review panel will help ensure the new design creates a more reliable and sustainable bridge that also highlights the unique setting of the existing bridge, respects the integrity of the national capital’s cultural landscapes, and reflects Canadian values and identity.”

While the bridge replacement project continues, the ministry is carrying out repair work to keep the Alexandra Bridge in service. Work started in fall 2023, and the bridge is currently closed to vehicular traffic. Work is expected to be completed in summer 2025.