Bridge debate ignites tempers

At a special meeting of the transportation committee on Monday, Jan. 12, the National Capital Commission-led project tabled its first-phase study findings and recommendations, hoping to gain a city endorsement before moving ahead with the environmental assessment’s next step.

In the end, committee members ruled out any west-end corridors and recommended the next phase proceed with the investigation of two proposed corridors at Lower Duck Island.

Throughout what proved to be an emotionally-charged meeting, audience members murmured support or disagreement with delegates; councillors were more vocal, as spats of in-fighting occasionally peppered the proceedings. With seven committee members accounted for, Rideau-Rockcliffe Coun. Jacques Legendre – a vocal opponent of the Kettle Island site – questioned whether their numbers met quorum, accusing others of showing "the minimum of respect" for residents giving presentations. "Be careful of the message you're sending," he added, before being quickly rebutted by committee chair and River Coun. Maria McRae.

In one presentation, resident Julie Taub accused study operators NCE-Roche of weighing certain categories and considerations to point conclusively at the Kettle Island corridor. “I can just see a backroom of people playing with the numbers,” she said. “It was political interests and vested interests (that fuelled the study).”

Trevor Milne, meanwhile, questioned the proposed link’s effectiveness in solving the downtown truck traffic issue, suggesting there would be no significant reduction along King Edward. “In effect, it is creating a twin to King Edward,” he explained. “There will be as many trucks, and probably some deaths. (Study operators) have to go back and take a hard look at the weights that were used.”

On the other side, Tim Tierney – president of the Beacon Hill North Community Association – recounted the numerous e-mails and phone calls he had received concerning the impact of a crossing further east, also pointing to the "three costly recommendations" naming Kettle as the best option and "all but four" city councillors voting in support of that fact last summer.

Any other option would force traffic onto Montreal and Ogilvie roads, he continued in a presentation submitted to council, adding that the current transit strike has offered an example of what that future would hold.

Along with a council decision on the issue, the NCC will also seek endorsements from the City of Gatineau, as well as both provincial governments prior to moving ahead with the study’s second phase.