10 bridges along Ottawa section of Hwy 417 to get $170-million in repairs

The Ontario government will be injecting $170-million into Ottawa's infrastructure — specifically the bridges which allow Highway 417 traffic to flow above certain city streets.

Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod says the investment will allow bridges on Booth Street, Rochester Street, Bronson Street, Percy Street and Preston Street to be rebuilt over the next five years. 

“I am very proud as the MPP for Nepean, and as the minister of tourism to be announcing this investment for 10 bridges that will rehabilitate and really provide safe and reliable transportation,” MacLeod says.

Tentative reconstruction schedules show end-dates for the Booth Street and Rochester Street bridges in 2022, Bronson Street and Percy Street in 2023, and Preston Street in 2024. 

“This will be absolutely critical, as our third largest economy within the city of Ottawa is, of course, tourism, which was hit hard first and will take the longest to recover as a result of COVID-19,” she says. 

The minister says the investment is a signal from the Ontario government that it is confident Canada's capital will see a significant recovery in the tourism sector following the pandemic.