City closes Chief William Commanda Bridge for winter season

The City of Ottawa has closed the Chief William Commanda Bridge effective Tuesday, Nov. 21 for the winter season.

In a memo sent to Ottawa City Council, City staff said the multi-use pathway that connects Ottawa’s Trillium Pathway on Lemieux Island and the National Capital Commission (NCC) Voyageurs Pathway in Gatineau was not designed to handle winter pedestrian or cycling usage.

“Due to the bridge’s steel structure and timber plank surface, the City is unable to safely undertake any plowing, salting or grit operations,” the memo said. “With the dropping temperatures and an early winter weather event posing risks of ice accumulation on the bridge deck, the City is closing the structure today and asking all residents to respect posted signage on site to please stay off the bridge for their safety.”

The memo said the City is exploring opportunities for the bridge to be used safely during the winter months for activities such as snowshoeing and cross country skiing.

“While these explorations continue, the City will also use this first year of operation to assess winter use requirements and feasibility, and to better understand how the structure responds to winter weather,” the City memo said.

Ottawa city councillors Jeff Leiper and Ariel Troster both said on X that they oppose the City’s decision to close the bridge for the winter.

The City of Ottawa said “typical plowing, salting and grit could damage the steel heritage structure and timber decking.”

Residents are advised to stay off the bridge as the City explores opportunities for use in the winter.