Work starts on the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge

OTTAWA, July 27 /CNW Telbec/ - MP Pierre Poilievre, MPP Bob Chiarelli, Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien and City Councillors Steve Desroches and Jan Harder participated in a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction of the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge. The bridge will take pressure off existing bridges at Hunt Club Road and Bridge Street (Manotick), and will support improved transit and transportation in the south Ottawa urban community.

"This project has been my top priority," said Pierre Poilievre MP for Nepean-Carleton. "After working on it for the last four years, I am pleased that Parks Canada and NCC have given the environmental go-ahead. More importantly, the federal government has delivered a third of the needed funds. The new bridge will connect the growing communities of Riverside South and Barrhaven and take traffic out of Manotick."

"The Ontario government is pleased to be working with our federal partners and the City to support this important project. We are creating jobs and improving safety and access to vital services in the expanding communities of Barrhaven and Riverside South," said Bob Chiarelli MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean.

"These kinds of major city-building projects don't move forward without hard work and cooperation," said Mayor Larry O'Brien. "I'd like to thank my Council colleagues, the Province and the Government of Canada for once again getting it done for the people of Ottawa."

"I have been working hard to make this project a reality," said Councillor Desroches. "I am thrilled that construction has started on the bridge, which will significantly cut down travel times between the two communities and will make schools, recreational facilities, and businesses that much more accessible."

"This is a great day for residents of south Ottawa who have been waiting a long time for the bridge. It will bring many benefits to the community, including the South District Ottawa Police Station in Barrhaven," added Councillor Harder.

The Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge consists of four general purpose lanes, two auxiliary turning lanes, two dedicated transit lanes, two on-road cycling lanes and sidewalks in each direction. The dedicated transit lanes will provide efficient transit services as an alternative to the private automobile while on-road cycling lanes and sidewalks will promote active transportation measures.

The bridge will also contribute to public safety by enhancing emergency response capabilities to both Riverside South and Barrhaven communities.

The Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge Project funding was approved in the City of Ottawa's 2010 Capital Budget. The Federal and Provincial governments are each funding a third of the project under the Building Canada Fund as announced in June 2009. The $48 million Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge project will be built by ConCreate USL Limited of Bolton, Ontario.

Two other multimillion dollar infrastructure projects are currently underway in conjunction with the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge. Strandherd Drive is the western link to the new bridge and is being extended between Crestway Drive and Prince of Wales Drive. Completion is anticipated for 2011 for this $35 million project funded by the City of Ottawa.

Earl Armstrong Road on the east side of the River is currently under expansion to connect with the bridge and complete the link to Barrhaven. The $35 million Earl Armstrong Road Widening from River Road to Limebank Road is being constructed through the Federal-Provincial Stimulus Funding and is anticipated to be finished by March 2011.

The bridge is expected to be open to traffic early 2012.

For further information: Media Contacts: Michael Qaqish, Office of Councillor Steve Desroches, Tel: [phone] ext: 13164, [email protected], www.stevedesroches.ca; Melanie Gauthier, Office of Councillor Jan Harder, Tel: [phone] ext: 25270, [email protected], www.janharder.com; Sally Harris, Office of Pierre Poilievre MP, Tel: [phone], www.resultsforyou.ca; Jasmine MacDonnell, Office of Mayor Larry O'Brien, Tel: [phone] ext: 14299; Mélissa Ouellette, Office of Bob Chiarelli MPP, Tel: [phone], [email protected]