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The owner of an east-end ferry service on the Ottawa River says he can build an interprovincial toll bridge in less time than it will take to wait for the construction of a public bridge.
Maurice Bourbonnais said his business has been studying the prospects of building a bridge to span the river between Cumberland and Masson-Angers where his ferry operates, and he could have it ready in about three years.
The National Capital Commission is conducting an environmental assessment as it tries to identify two crossings to be built over the next 20 to 50 years to improve links between Ottawa and Gatineau.
12-YEAR DELAY
“If they decide to build the bridge, the study may not be finished for another three years and before the (different levels) of government agree to building the bridge it will be another three or four years,” said the small business owner. “Before the bridge is finished, it’s probably 12 to 15 years.”
Traversiers Bourbonnais runs a year-round 24-hour ferry service, carrying cars at $8 a pop.
It’s the same crossing point that Ottawa Coun. Michel Bellemare last week proposed would be the most logical site for an interprovincial bridge, saying it’s the preferred option for achieving the objectives of easing traffic congestion and heavy truck transit through the downtown core.
Four years ago, the Bourbonnais family recognized that their livelihood could be obliterated by the construction of an east end bridge and started making their own plans to build a $32-million toll bridge to span the water.
The toll would be the same as the price to ride the ferry, with discounts for frequent users, said Bourbonnais. It would take about 15 years before the family recoups the cost of building the bridge.
A bridge built at that site, whether by the Bourbonnais family or publicly owned, would put the ferry service out of commission.
Bourbonnais plans to meet with representatives from the City of Ottawa, the NCC and from the federal Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in June to discuss the fate of his ferry.
If need be, he is prepared to move his operations westward, possibly forming a link between Kanata and Aylmer.