Montfort Hospital opposes Kettle Island bridge

"It would comprise our capacity … to create a safe and quite environment," said Pierre Lefebvre, chairman of the hospital's board of trustees. "Aviation Parkway would be transformed."

Lefebvre joined chief of staff Bernard Leduc and Denis Chartrand, chair of the New Montfort Redevelopment Committee, at a press conference on Wednesday, Nov. 5 to announce the board's successful motion against the transformation of Aviation Parkway into an access route from Highway 417 to the proposed crossing.

Noise, traffic, vibrations, pollution and impeded access were some of the concerns brought forward by the group, citing impacts on the quality of life and care of patients, effects on sensitive diagnostic equipment and traffic blockage on Aviation and Montreal Road creating unsafe conditions.

The hospital's proximity to Aviation – only metres from its long-term care facility in particular – has also created worries that any accident or spill could have severe repercussions.

With Montfort's redevelopment project underway – "effectively creating a new hospital," continued Chartrand – selecting Kettle Island as the location for a future Ottawa-to-Gatineau link would present increased challenges and "potential dangers" for both staff and patients.

There would be "an undeniable impact on the quality of life of residents" if the bridge – and subsequent link – is built at Kettle Island, added Leduc, stressing the hospital understands and respects the need for the proposed interprovincial crossing. "We're not saying there shouldn't be (a bridge). We want the NCC to consider our preoccupations when considering this decision."