Interprovincial crossing controversy heats up

Dozens sported "Kettle Island – NO Bridge" buttons, hoisted signs with the same slogan and jeered at study operators as they detailed their progress through the crossing's first phase leading up to selection of the east-end corridor at a public consultation meeting on Sept. 24.

Residents expressed frustrations over how certain aspects of building the potential bridge were weighed, with transportation issues taking large precedence over more human-focused factors. Others voiced concerns about the minimal impact a new crossing would have on truck traffic through the downtown core. "This study has been so badly handled it's hard to know where to start," said Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Jacques Legendre, who earned cheers and a standing ovation with his comments during the evening's question period. "(The proposed crossing) is too serious a matter to be entrusted to the technocrats."

The study only "supposes" a certain number of trucks will be attracted to other corridors, he continued, adding that a ring road at another of the proposed sites – highlighting Petrie Island in particular – would "help derive maximum benefit" of a new bridge.

Mauril Bélanger, Liberal MP for Ottawa-Vanier, also added his two cents' to the mix, supporting the suggested corridor at Lower Duck Island and its lesser impacts, including those on the Montfort Hospital, Rockcliffe Airport and many residential neighbourhoods. "It would be an economic link and economic generator for the east end, which we could surely use," he continued. "We're not saying no bridge; we're just saying put it where it makes sense."

John Forsey, president of the Manor Park Community Association, called the proposed link at Kettle Island "unacceptable" and "a travesty".

Referring to previously-unsuccessful studies that pointed to Kettle Island for an interprovincial crossing, "we will take any means to defeat the current proposal," he said, suggesting that east-end councillors had "bullied" the downtown councillors into accepting the site. "(The study) is fatally flawed. It would be waste of time and taxpayers' money (to proceed with phase two)."

An "unbiased group of individuals and experts" helped to weigh the options, countered Steve Taylor, a consultant for Roche-NCE, with 39 of the 90 subcategories examined focusing on quality of life issues and almost all exclusively selecting Kettle Island as the best choice.

The Kettle Island corridor "provides a balanced solution," he added. "There is no magical solution to find a corridor that has no effects.”

Two objectives were initially identified for the study, Taylor continued, naming improved accessibility across the Ottawa River and relief for trucking through the downtown core. Currently, he explained, approximately 3,400 trucks use the two active crossings every day. The Kettle Island corridor would divert about 450 trucks each day – the vast majority with origin and destination points on both sides of the river, including the Merivale-Hunt Club area in Ottawa – Taylor said, with 2,100 remaining on the Chaudière Bridge due to its function as the quickest, most direct route. "What we have is more accurate information to make a more informed decision at this time," he added. “It’s a good location.”

One of 10 sites shortlisted for a potential corridor, Kettle Island has been recommended as a “first priority project” for implementation within the next 20 years based on transportation performance, minimizing environmental impacts and offering a lower-cost – estimated at $400 to $500 million – alternative, according to a first-phase report released by study operators on Sept. 4. The four-year, $4.5-million environmental assessment study into a new interprovincial crossing – being conducted by the NCC, as well as provincial and municipal governments – has been looking at potential locations on both sides of the river.