Bank Street Canal Bridge Rehabilitation

Project Description

Beginning in summer 2020, the Bank Street Canal Bridge will be undergoing rehabilitation work. The Bank Street Bridge is located over the Rideau Canal, near Lansdowne Park / TD Place.

The bridge rehabilitation will involve concrete repairs to the Bank Street Canal Bridge. The works consist of concrete repairs to the bridge piers and arch soffits under the bridge. The existing lighting over the bridge will also be upgraded. The rehabilitations will be completed in a manner compatible with the heritage character of the structure.

Work is required to extend the lifespan of the bridge. The bridge was constructed in 1912 and last rehabilitated in 1993.

Work underneath the bridge will be commencing in late July 2020.

Options are currently being evaluated for the implementation of a multi-modal transportation system including safer cycling lanes over the bridge. Pending further approvals, this work would be implemented in 2021. Once confirmed, more information about the scope of work for over the bridge will be communicated prior to work commencing. Traffic impacts, including pedestrian and cycling access will also be communicated.

Traffic Management

Throughout construction, pedestrian and cyclists access will be preserved. The current pedestrian and cycling measures over the bridge will be maintained throughout construction. Pedestrian and cyclist access under the bridge will be maintained via detours at all times throughout the construction.

Queen Elizabeth Drive and Colonel By Drive will be reduced to one lane with alternating traffic during the proposed works on arch soffits under the bridge.

More information about traffic management plans for over the bridge work will be communicated in the near future.

Project Timing

Construction Notice (July 2020)
Construction Start: July 2020
Construction Completion: Expected by end of 2020

Project Budget

Approved project funds to date are $2,270,000

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. The City makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require special accommodation, please contact the City’s Project Manager.

COVID-19

COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation and the City of Ottawa is committed to protecting people and the community. The Province of Ontario has allowed certain businesses and workplaces, including all municipal construction projects, to continue operations subject to compliance with strict public health and safety protocols. The City is working closely with the industry and complying with restrictions and recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

For further information or to provide comments, please contact the City’s project manager.

For any emergency outside normal working hours on weekdays and weekends, call the City at 3-1-1.
Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:

City Project Manager
Nima Aghniaey, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Tel: 613-286-0695

Contractor Representative
Mark Butzer
Project Manager
Louis W. Bray
Tel: 613-938-0459

Contract Administrator
Matt Thom, P.Eng.
Contract Administrator
WSP
Tel: 613-690-3840

Construction notice (July 2020)

At the end of July, the City of Ottawa will start construction work on the Bank Street bridge over Rideau Canal.

What: The bridge rehabilitation will involve concrete repairs to the Bank Street Canal Bridge. The works consist of concrete repairs to the bridge piers and arch soffits under the bridge. Options are currently being evaluated for the implementation of a multi-modal transportation system including safer cycling lanes over the bridge.

In addition to the above, the existing lighting over the bridge will also be upgraded.

Why: The work is required to extend the lifespan of the bridge.

When: Construction is expected to commence at the end of July 2020 and be completed by the end of the year.

Where: The Bank Street Bridge over Rideau Canal – located on Bank Street, between Echo Drive and Wilton Crescent.

Who: The City of Ottawa has retained Louis W. Bray Construction Limited to complete the work.

Traffic Management

In order to accommodate the proposed construction over the bridge, Bank Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction over the bridge during the construction works. Queen Elizabeth Drive and Colonel By Drive will be reduced to one lane with alternating traffic during the proposed works on arch soffits under the bridge. Pedestrian and cyclist access across and under the bridge will be maintained via detours at all times throughout the construction.

Construction Disruptions

The Contractor will take every precaution to minimize interruptions to the everyday life of your family and/or operation of your business, but, as you can appreciate, there may be some inconvenience during the course of the work, such as traffic delays, noise, and odour. We would like to thank you for your patience and co-operation.

Property Damage Caused by Construction Activities

As part of this contract, the Contractor is assuming full responsibility for the construction work until it is entirely complete as well as any damages to private property resulting from these construction activities. In the event of such occurrences, all claims for damages should be immediately reported both verbally and in writing to the Contractor’s Representative and to the Contract Administrator. This will ensure prompt notification of appropriate authorities to complete the claim investigations.

COVID-19 is an unprecedented situation and the City of Ottawa is committed to protecting our employees and our community. The City of Ottawa has reviewed the essential workplaces information provided by the Province; construction on critical infrastructure projects - including roads, bridges, sewer, water, transit and transportation - falls within the exemption. As such, at this time, the City is not suspending work on these types of projects.

The City is working closely with the industry and complying with restrictions and recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

The City of Ottawa continues to take precautionary steps to protect our employees and members of our community. All in-person public information sessions are being cancelled at this time.

Who: Design consulting firm, WSP, has been retained by the City to develop a design for rehabilitation of the Bank Street Canal bridge.

What: The City of Ottawa is undertaking the rehabilitation of the Bank Street Canal bridge. The proposed rehabilitation consists of concrete repairs to the bridge piers and soffits, as well as the existing sidewalks over the bridge. Bank Street will be resurfaced over the bridge and the existing lighting will be upgraded as part of this project.

Why: To enhance life span of the bridge, improve pedestrian safety and bridge aesthetics.

When: The current project schedule is as follows:

• Design completion: May 2020
• Construction start: summer 2020
• Construction completion: December 2020

Where: The project includes repairs to the Bank Street Canal bridge structure spanning over the Rideau Canal between Echo Drive and Wilton Crescent. Repairs will be undertaken over the bridge on Bank Street, and under the bridge via Colonel By Drive, Queen Elizabeth Drive and the Rideau Canal.

Notifications will be sent to residents prior to the start of construction.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

The City of Ottawa invites you to provide comments and feedback on the Bank Street Canal Bridge Rehabilitation project planned in your neighbourhood by May 7, 2020.

Boards [ 1.25 MB ]

For further information about this project, please contact:

City Project Manager
Nima Aghniaey
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction - Municipal
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel: 613-580-2424, ext. 17691