Work Starts on the Strandherd Armstrong Bridge
OTTAWA - July 27, 2010 — MP Pierre Poilievre, MPP Bob Chiarelli, Ottawa Mayor Larry O’Brien and City Councillors Steve Desroches and Jan Harder participated in a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction of the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge. The bridge will take pressure off existing bridges at Hunt Club Road and Bridge Street (Manotick), and will support improved transit and transportation in the south Ottawa urban community.
"I have been working hard to make this project a reality," said Councillor Desroches. "I am thrilled that construction has started on the bridge, which will significantly cut down travel times between the two communities and will make schools, recreational facilities, and businesses that much more accessible."
The Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge consists of four general purpose lanes, two auxiliary turning lanes, two dedicated transit lanes, two on-road cycling lanes and sidewalks in each direction. The dedicated transit lanes will provide efficient transit services as an alternative to the private automobile while on-road cycling lanes and sidewalks will promote active transportation measures.
The bridge will also contribute to public safety by enhancing emergency response capabilities to both Riverside South and Barrhaven communities.
The Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge Project funding was approved in the City of Ottawa’s 2010 Capital Budget. The Federal and Provincial governments are each funding a third of the project under the Building Canada Fund as announced in June 2009. The $48 million Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge project will be built by ConCreate USL Limited of Bolton, Ontario.
Two other multimillion dollar infrastructure projects are currently underway in conjunction with the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge. Strandherd Drive is the western link to the new bridge and is being extended between Crestway Drive and Prince of Wales Drive. Completion is anticipated for 2011 for this $35 million project funded by the City of Ottawa.
Earl Armstrong Road on the east side of the River is currently under expansion to connect with the bridge and complete the link to Barrhaven. The $35 million Earl Armstrong Road Widening from River Road to Limebank Road is being constructed through the Federal-Provincial Stimulus Funding and is anticipated to be finished by March 2011.
The bridge is expected to be open to traffic early 2012.
