Bridge decision short-sighted
Re: Prince of Wales Bridge will never be used as a rail link, mayors say, Sept. 25
I’m mystified that two elected mayors could stand before reporters and announce that there is no future for the Prince of Wales bridge as a transit corridor. This is about as myopic a decision as possible.
The reason Mayor Jim Watson cited is that Bayview station would be “overwhelmed” with riders. This can only mean one thing: that the station in two development cycles and the newly commissioned LRT line were never designed to accept the expansion that future trains and riders travelling to/from Gatineau would bring. This is in spite of the fact the Prince of Wales Bridge has been in Ottawa’s transit plans since its purchase in 2005.
Is there no long-range vision for transit that this was overlooked? There are obvious benefits: a direct link to the Ottawa airport for Gatineau residents, a short walk for riders to Terrasses de la Chaudière, Place du Portage and the Zibi development, a direct link to Galleries du Hull, a direct link to the Casino du LacLeamy and, depending on the length of the route, a direct link to Les Promenades Gatineau.
Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin stated the planned STO light-rail for Gatineau will use the Portage Bridge to access Ottawa. This is likewise nearsighted in that it will either remove traffic lanes for a dedicated right of way or suffer road/ rail interactions, making transit times ineffective.
Without success, we’ve spent decades trying to find a location for a new bridge linking the two cities to address truck traffic specifically and congestion in general. Placing an LRT right of way on the Portage Bridge is flawed thinking.
Here we have an existing bridge with a well-defined corridor already in place, with significant destination points along its length. Yes, the bridge will need an expensive rehab to make it double-track and compatible with an LRT system. Compared to the cost of a new bridge over or a tunnel under the river, its cost will look like a bargain.
It’s obvious the two municipalities and provinces can’t be bothered to co-ordinate for the common good. Surely, this region, north or south of the river, deserves truly integrated transit.
Mike Nowell, Kanata
Never say ‘never’ on transit
The announcement by Mayors Watson and Pedneaud-Jobin that the Prince of Wales Bridge is to reopen as a pedestrian/bike link between Ottawa and Gatineau is good news (finally). But Watson’s declaration that the Prince of Wales will never serve transit is far too premature.
“Never” is a long time. After Ottawa’s LRT is expanded to Barrhaven and Kanata, subsequent city councils, on both sides of the river, will need to think about interprovincial transit, and that should include the Prince of Wales Bridge.
Alex Cullen, former chair, Ottawa Transit Commission (2006-10), Ottawa
Canadians may be seduced by self-interest in their voting practices, but leaders underestimate our desire to have a country that can rise above the partisan fray. Own your track record. Make brave, not expedient choices. Brian McCarthy, Orléans