en.Wedoany.com Reported - The National Capital Commission (NCC) of Canada released the plan for Ottawa's sixth interprovincial bridge on July 9, 2026. The project aims to construct a new bridge across the Ottawa River between Gatineau, Quebec, and Ottawa, Ontario, to divert heavy truck traffic away from downtown Ottawa. The NCC hopes to finalize the design by 2029 and have the bridge open to traffic by 2034.
The National Capital Commission is the federal agency responsible for planning and development in Canada's National Capital Region, covering the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. The Ottawa River serves as the boundary between Ontario and Quebec. Currently, there are five cross-river bridges between Ottawa and Gatineau, each handling traffic in different directions. This planned bridge will be the sixth interprovincial crossing in the region.
The project will connect Highway 50 and Montée Paiement in Gatineau with Aviation Parkway in Ottawa, ultimately linking to Highway 417. The NCC previously approved the planning and design principles for the project on June 23, 2026. The new crossing aims to reroute heavy trucks around downtown Ottawa, alleviating traffic pressure on the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. According to a joint study by the NCC and Public Services and Procurement Canada, approximately 3,500 trucks cross the Ottawa River daily, with 72% using the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, resulting in a large number of trucks passing through downtown via King Edward Avenue.
The NCC has previously completed an updated study on potential locations for the sixth cross-river crossing. The construction of the new bridge will provide a new multimodal transport corridor between Ottawa and Gatineau. The project route follows the Kettle Island corridor, connecting Ottawa's Aviation Parkway with Gatineau's Montée Paiement. The project has been progressing since it was reintroduced into the agenda in the federal economic statement in fall 2024, with the first round of public consultations now completed. Once completed, the new bridge will effectively divert heavy trucks, improve traffic conditions in downtown Ottawa, and enhance east-west connectivity in the National Capital Region.
