LETTER

A new bridge is still needed 

New residents of Aylmer should be aware of the long debate over a western interprovincial bridge.

In the 1970-80s, regional maps indicated a bridge to Aylmer, crossing at Deschênes and joining the 416/417 to the 5 and 50. The MTQ expropriated land for this, and Aylmer lost many heritage homes.  But this bridge corridor faced a NIMBY outbreak in Ottawa West and the negatives of passing through Gatineau Park and Boucher Forest.

Today we need our municipal, provincial and federal politicians to revisit this plan, albeit with slight modifications, because: 1) infrastructure in the West can no longer handle the traffic from new developments; 2) commercial traffic is forced into Ottawa-Gatineau’s core to cross the river; 3) the Champlain Bridge is way over-capacity; 4) linking regional and provincial  highways in the west is a necessity; 5) mass transit is in need of a revamp; and 6) an Eastern Bridge does not link major highways, and will only exacerbate traffic on the 50 and through the core. A highway corridor can also serve mass transit; the 640 north of Montreal is an example.  It is up to our leaders to solve the issues of transport and regional commuting. 

A corridor, starting at Highway 50 near Montée Paiement exists all the way to the River in Deschênes. It has been expropriated and adjacent development has been planned.  It could be  modified to head west at Pink over to Terry Fox and cross the river just west of Aylmer (where the River narrows to 2kms across).  Joining Riddell/March on federal lands, it would access the 416/417 and 7, allowing traffic to flow south, west and east.

A suspension bridge west of Aylmer would attract tourism, given the scenery up and down the river and serve as a landmark for the region. The Gatineau Park corridor could be designed to minimize impact. 

Benefits to Aylmer residents: easing commutes, aiding mass transit, stimulate local businesses, construction jobs, and developers could continue building north and west of Aylmer without harming transit and traffic mobility.

Officials in Quebec City need to know that a bridge in the east is not the solution. It’s up to our mayor, councillors, MNAs and MPs to take the lead on this file.

Lee Bourdon, 

Aylmer