Bridge project to get $35M in federal funds
Strandherd-Armstrong plan crucial part of city's transit needs, councillor says
The federal government is to announce $35 million in funding today for the controversial Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge.
A spokesman for Nepean-Carleton Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre said Mr. Poilievre will make the announcement this morning on behalf of Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon.
While he wouldn't comment directly, Mr. Poilievre last night said: "All I can confirm is that I'll be announcing some great news for commuters in Riverside South, Barrhaven, Manotick and surrounding communities. It will mean real results for residents who have waited long enough."
The city recently asked the federal and provincial governments to each contribute one-third of the estimated $105-million budget to build a bridge over the Rideau River, connecting Barrhaven and Riverside South.
Councillor "Steve Desroches and I said that if the federal government gives us the money, we'll kiss Stephen Harper right on the lips," said Barrhaven Councilor Jan Harder.
"I guess I'll need to get my lip-gloss out," laughed Mr. Desroches, who represents Gloucester South Nepean.
"This is the missing link in our community," he said. "I hope that this will bring the province to the table and they will recognize that this bridge is a key part of the city's transportation plans."
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty had rejected the bridge proposal because it was not a part of a more environmentally-friendly public transit project.
"We will not be funding this bridge," Jane Almeida, a spokeswoman for the premier, said earlier this week. "Our priority is transit, and we don't consider this transit. We have $200 million set aside for transit funding in Ottawa."
"My comments still stand," said Ms. Almeida yesterday, "and in terms of any announcement tomorrow -- I can't speculate."
The city plans for the bridge include a section for light rail, or bus lanes, because it was originally going to be built as a part of the city's now-cancelled light-rail transit line.
"It is a mess on both sides of the river," said Ms. Harder, insisting that construction of the bridge is a must, despite the fact that it will not be reserved for public transit.
In Barrhaven, 99 per cent of working people leave the area to go to work, she said.
Between the hours of 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., as many as 4,000 cars pass through Woodroffe Avenue on the way to Barrhaven, she added. "I am absolutely thrilled that Pierre Poilievre has been able to bring in their share," said Ms. Harder of the federal funding. "It is the most significant infrastructure project necessary for South Ottawa today."
