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60 years of road salt has destroyed Ottawa's Alexandra Bridge: officials

OTTAWA — Federal officials say six decades of road salt has spelled the end for a 123-year old interprovincial bridge in Ottawa. The Alexandra Bridge has to be taken down because of rust, officials from the Procurement Department say.
Canadian Press
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Federal officials say six decades of road salt has spelled the end for a 123-year-old interprovincial bridge in Ottawa. In this photo taken using a drone, the Parliament buildings and Ottawa skyline are seen over the Alexandra Bridge as the sun sets, Wednesday, Sept.7, 2022 THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA — Federal officials say six decades of road salt has spelled the end for a 123-year old interprovincial bridge in Ottawa.

The Alexandra Bridge has to be taken down because of rust, officials from the Procurement Department say.

The procurement process for a new bridge will start in the fall, when the public will have a chance to weigh in on three design options.

Officials refused to say how much they think it will cost, but a 2018 assessment suggested a new bridge would come to $800 million.

The bridge opened in 1901, carrying trains, streetcars and horse-drawn wagons.

It's currently closed to vehicles to undergo maintenance work until early next year, and will likely be torn down by 2030.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2024.

The Canadian Press