Support for a Footbridge

Members of Old Ottawa East (including a number of SLOE members), Old Ottawa South and the Glebe are working towards the realization of a new pedestrian/cycling bridge across the Rideau Canal to connect our communities and to provide a better midtown connection for all Ottawans.

Ottawa Centre MPP Yasir Naqvi has added his support to a growing list of those in favour of a second canal footbridge in Ottawa. Mr Naqvi says that he “cannot think of a better way to unite our communities and increase the liveability of our neighbourhoods than by building a new bridge in this location [in the vicinity of Clegg/Fifth].”

He goes on to say, “The addition of this bridge would promote better pedestrian accessibility and encourage sustainable transportation, like cycling, between the Glebe, Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South.”

“Building a bridge to connect our communities would improve the quality of life for our neighbours by encouraging environmentally friendly transportation, improving the accessibility of our city, and ultimately connecting people and building stronger communities,” he concludes.

MPP Naqvi has now joined Ottawa Centre MP Paul Dewar and City Councillor Clive Doucet in providing a strong endorsement of the proposed footbridge.

Why is a new footbridge being proposed?

• Studies indicate that greenspace and pedestrian-friendly areas significantly improve quality of life in cities.
• Concerns about pending global environmental crises point to the need for a change in the way we go about our daily lives; investments to facilitate walking and cycling are an essential component.
• The level of spending by the City of Ottawa to facilitate cycling and walking is miniscule in comparison with the money spent on infrastructure to facilitate the use of vehicles.
• The two km stretch of the canal running from the Pretoria Bridge to the Bank Street bridge is the longest barrier that can be found between established communities in all of Ottawa.
• For many years a wooden footbridge built on the ice connected the Glebe and Old Ottawa East/South, and in the summer a ferry rowboat operated for 75 years.
• The Corktown Footbridge connecting the downtown core with Sandy Hill was resisted, yet its use has exceeded expectations.
• 70 percent of those surveyed in the three communities support the idea, and a majority of people surveyed from outside the area are supportive.
• The concept of a new footbridge has been endorsed by: the OE, Glebe and other community associations; the City Centre Coalition; the City’s advisory committees for Arts, Heritage and Culture, for Roads and Cycling, and for Pedestrians and Transit; the Glebe BIA; Councillor Clive Doucet; MP Paul Dewar; MPP Yasir Naqvi; and the Ottawa Citizen.

What would be the primary benefits?

As stated by City Councillor Clive Doucet: “A bridge would encourage people to walk and cycle, enhancing the vitality and livability of our city.” Some of the specific benefits would include:

• helping to reduce pollution in our neighbourhoods and cities
• increasing the inter-connectedness of our communities by improving access to local businesses, recreational facilities, schools and parks
• reducing traffic in our neighbourhoods
• providing a missing and safe central link for east-west (“midtown”) cycling in Ottawa
• increasing the eastern accessibility to Lansdowne Park
• serving as a focal point for Rideau Canal skateway activities
• offsetting the impact of the City’s planned intensification for the midtown communities

What can you do?

• Share this idea with your friends and neighbours.
• Go to http://groups.google.com/group/GOES-footbridge?hl=en. and click on Files on the right side of the window. The files stored there contain much useful information about the project.
• Lend a bit of time to helping make the bridge a reality and ensuring that the footbridge will be an excellent and enduring investment in the City’s “green” infrastructure.

To get involved, email , , or .

Want More Information?

Then visit the “Midtown” Footbridge’s very own Facebook page!