Vimy Memorial Bridge
| Vimy Memorial Bridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Crosses | Rideau River, Rideau Canal |
| Other name(s) | Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge |
| Website | Project Overview |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 143 metres (469 ft) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $50 million CAD |
| Opened | 12 July 2014 |
The Vimy Memorial Bridge (previously the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge[1]) is a bridge in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Completed in 2014, it crosses the Rideau River, connecting Strandherd Drive in Barrhaven and Earl Armstrong Road in Riverside South.
History
The idea for a bridge in this location was first brought up in 1993 as a road bridge. The location was later revisited as the location for a light rail crossing for the O-Train, but that extension plan was cancelled. In 2010, the city, provincial, and national governments invested equal amounts totalling $48 million in building the bridge.[2] The original contractor hired, ConCreate USL, went into receivership when the project was about 60% complete and the City of Ottawa hired a new contractor, Horseshoe Hill Construction, to finish it.[3]
Public Transit
OC Transpo Route 94 and OC Transpo 99 use the bridge's exclusive bus lanes are the routes are a part of the Ottawa bus rapid transit system known as the Transitway. Route 99 (Northbound) continues to Lebreton Station at peak hours via the south-eastern transitway and serves Riverside South via Spratt Road and Greenboro Station at off peaks hours connecting to the O-Train Trillium Line. 99 serves Barrhaven Centre in the southbound direction. OC Transpo 94, a high frequency rapid transit route serves Riverview Transitway station in the southbound direction using the new bridge and Millenium in Avalon northbound. The new bridge featuring exclusive bus lanes has improved transit service in Barrhaven and Riverside South.
Project status
The project was initially expected to be completed in 2012.[4] However, the contractor went bankrupt, and the city's bonding company wouldn't accelerate work and the completion date had been put off. The bridge was then due to be open in July 2014[5] and was opened on time on 12 July 2014.[6]
References
- ↑ "Vimy Memorial Bridge name approved at Ottawa committee". CBC News. 1 Oct 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
- ↑ Rwema, Eddie. "Strandherd-Armstrong bridge on track: Coun. Desroches". Ottawa South EMC. Metroland Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ↑ "Strandherd-Armstrong bridge work to resume". CBC News. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ↑ "Strandherd bridge moved into place this weekend". Ottawa Sun, July 13, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/06/23/july-opening-for-strandherd-armstrong-bridge--maybe
- ↑ "Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge opens, significantly improving connectivity for Riverside South and Barrhaven residents". City of Ottawa. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
Coordinates: 45°16′12″N 75°42′9″W / 45.27000°N 75.70250°W