Pedestrian bridge over Ottawa River closing during winter months

The Chief William Commanda Bridge is closing once again to the public during the winter.

In a memo to council, city staff said there will be updates to come once the date of closure is determined. The upcoming seasonal closure of the multi-use pathway will be timed based on weather conditions.

With safety in mind, a new gate is set to be installed to prevent access to the bridge when closed.

The reason for the closure is because the city isn’t able to clear the snow and ice from the historic bridge.

In a memo to council in November 2023, city staff stated that the original railway bridge’s steel structure and timber plank surface prevent safe plowing, salting or grit operations during the snowy, winter months.

Ottawa has explored alternative de-icing products, but none are effective for the structure type or location of the bridge within the source water protection zone. But he municipality is considering another option: Snow accumulation could be groomed for winter sports, including cross-country skiing.

However, the city has not been able to test this idea due to the below-average snowfall and higher-than-normal temperatures recorded across the city last year.

Staff plan to monitor weather patterns and deck conditions this winter season, permitted that snow accumulates this year.

It will look at the potential of recreational activities for future winter seasons with staff planning to communicate this possibility with council and the public.

While the Chief William Commanda Bridge was open during the summer of 2023, it “offers pedestrians and cyclists scenic views and a connection to pathways through Gatineau and Ottawa,” wrote the city.

Rehabilitation work on the pathway connecting Gatineau and the nation’s capital, is set to complete by the end of 2024.

Remaining efforts will focus on the piers and rehabilitation of the substructure of the bridge.

City council will receive an update as more information becomes available.