Patterson Creek Bridge Rehabilitation on Queen Elizabeth Driveway
Official title: Patterson Creek Bridge Rehabilitation
The National Capital Commission plans to repair a 114-year-old heritage bridge in Ottawa that crosses Patterson Creek near the Rideau Canal. The bridge has deteriorating railings, cracked pavement, and drainage problems from decades of salt and freeze-thaw cycles. Repairs will also widen the pathway and sidewalk.
Why This Matters
Use the Queen Elizabeth Driveway or the multi-use pathway along the canal? Expect detours and closures from June 2025 to April 2026. The bridge connects to the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so heritage features will be preserved during repairs.
What Could Change
The bridge will be widened to accommodate a larger multi-use pathway and sidewalk. Heritage railings and lamp posts will be repaired or replaced. Construction will temporarily close or restrict access to the roadway and pathway near the bridge.
Key Issues
- How will construction impact traffic and pathway access during the 11-month project?
- How will heritage features like the ornamental railings and lamp posts be preserved?
- What measures will protect fish habitat in Patterson Creek during construction?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.