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OTTAWA-Don’t look to Orléans for political support in the fight against a bridge across the Ottawa River at Kettle Island.
Three of the candidates running in Ottawa-Orléans told the Citizen’s editorial board Wednesday that the Kettle Island route – which would disrupt Manor Park and turn the Aviation Parkway into a four-lane truck route – is the logical site for a new bridge.
A number of other sites were considered by the National Capital Commission, including one at Petrie Island in Orléans, but the NCC’s consultants have said Kettle Island, to the west of Orléans, makes the most sense to handle the most truck traffic.
Liberal candidate Marc Godbout said Petrie Island, a favourite recreational place for Orléans residents, already has enough challenges because of the pollution from sewage spills and overflows in the last few years. The Petrie Island beach has been closed much more frequently than other beaches in Ottawa due to malfunctions in the city’s sewer gates which result in high E. coli counts.
Conservative candidate Royal Galipeau said the Kettle Island route for a bridge has been identified as the logical place to connect with major roads on both sides of the river since 1984 and he said there’s no reason to change those plans. He noted that the bridge was supposed to be built in 1999, but was stalled by political opposition.
“It made sense then, it makes sense now,” said Mr. Galipeau, a former Gloucester councillor who was elected in 2006.
Green party candidate Paul Maillet said Kettle Island is the best route, although he believes any bridge project must spare no expense and be state-of-the-art, have the least possible environmental effect and protect neighbourhoods with extensive sound reduction. Mr. Maillet said it’s not acceptable that thousands of trucks are driving through downtown Ottawa now.
The New Democratic Party candidate, Amy O’Dell, had other commitments and could not appear at the editorial board. At a candidates’ meeting on Monday night, Ms. O’Dell said the federal government should be helping cities like Ottawa build better, safer public transit.