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Three east-end councillors have found a solution to the bridge over troubled Ottawa waters.
Coun. Bob Monette, Innes Coun. Rainer Bloess and Cumberland Coun. Rob Jellett have found common ground and want the next interprovincial bridge to join Ottawa and Gatineau at Kettle Island.
The island location is one of five proposals currently facing east-end residents along with three proposals for the west end. (Three other possible locations are in the west end.)
“Kettle Island is the place,” said Bloess.
Federal and provincial politicians are also on board.
ALL ON BOARD
Monette said he met with his provincial and federal counterparts yesterday along with several business and community associations and all are on board with the idea.
“We are now looking at Kettle Island as the preferred spot,” said Monette. “Anything east of the Greenbelt is not acceptable and some say it’s stupid. We are a strong voice.”
INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE
Monette said Kettle Island is the best spot for a bridge to connect the two provinces because much of the infrastructure is already in place. And a bridge located there will take a lot of the traffic, especially big trucks, off the Queensway, says Monette.
The Kettle Island bridge will connect from Aviation Pkwy. in Ottawa to Montee Paiment in Gatineau and both might be the easiest due to the roadways already developed.
The east-end councillors said Gatineau identified the corridor as the best possible spot for a bridge years ago.
Bloess said Gatineau has gone as far as identifying Kettle Island as a potentially large transportation spot on property deeds.
He said it’s a way to let people know well in advance that they shouldn’t complain if they decide to purchase property close to a potential bridge.
It appears Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien is seriously considering supporting the idea.
He spent last weekend studying several bridge locations.
KETTLE ISLAND
“Kettle Island appears to be the one from a preliminary review that makes the most sense,” said O’Brien, who added further study will be needed.
The most eastern bridge proposal would be located at the Traversiers Bourbonnais ferry in Cumberland, which would connect to Masson Angers in Quebec.
Petrie Island is also a proposed corridor that would see a bridge go over the island, connecting to Hwy. 174 from Gatineau parkland.
Another island corridor is Lower Duck Island, which is another unpopular location, and a bridge from Tenth Line Rd. to the Gatineau side is also proposed.
Ottawa Sun