Numbers don’t suggest Prince of Wales Bridge problem

The city has no record of incidents on the Prince of Wales Bridge, but police occasionally get called to the shabby interprovincial crossing.

“The city’s public works department and bylaw and regulatory services have not received any complaints regarding the Prince of Wales Bridge,” according to Kevin Wylie, the general manager of public works and environmental services.

A review of Ottawa Police Service calls to the bridge would take some time because analysts need to view every report, but a police spokesman said the initial calls have been largely related to disturbances, trespassing and suspicious activity.

There have been about eight Ottawa police calls to the bridge this year. Gatineau police didn’t have call information immediately available.

The bridge, which is owned by the City of Ottawa, spans the Ottawa River north of the Bayview transit station.

The city is considering locking up both ends of the bridge as a public safety measure.

Transport Canada compels the city to make the bridge safe, even if trains aren’t running across it.

According to the city, the federal agency can mandate expensive safety measures if the city of Ottawa doesn’t improve safety on its own.

The city acquired the truss bridge, along with the now Trillium Line tracks, in a deal with Canadian Pacific Railway, anticipating one day it would run the municipal rail service to Gatineau.

Although more than 1,300 people have put their names on an online petition to keep the bridge publicly accessible, the city doesn’t have the money required to do any serious work to make the crossing safe.

After failing to secure a monetary commitment from the National Capital Commission and the City of Gatineau, Ottawa council transferred the earmarked funds to another bridge project.

A new crossing over the Rideau Canal between Fifth Avenue and Clegg Street is now the city’s priority, with detailed design work expected to be complete by next spring.

Turning the entire Prince of Wales Bridge into an interprovincial pedestrian path and bikeway would cost $10.5 million.

Upgrading the bridge for trains would cost up to $40 million.

The bridge dates back to 1880.

It’s a popular place for people to walk or watch the sunset, but technically no one is allowed up there.

In defending the city’s position last week on the state of the bridge, Mayor Jim Watson suggested he’s concerned about future legal action if the city doesn’t move on security measures.