Portage Bridge work to close lanes this summer

Expect lane closures on the Portage Bridgethis summer while crews work to repair its pavement and install a two-waysegregated bike lane.

The National Capital Commission's board of directors on Thursday approved the $9.2-million budget to improve the interprovincial bridge, located just west of Parliament Hill.

The road surface onthe bridge, which spansthe Ottawa River and connects Wellington Street in Ottawa to rue Laurierin Gatineau, is in"poor condition" with multiple cracks and ruts, according to an NCCreport.

TheNCCis hoping to havea construction contract awarded by the end ofJune, and finish most of the work by the end of August. Staff saidthe bridge won't ever be shut down completely, but will at times be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Cycling 'terrifying'

One NCCboard member, Sara Jane O'Neill of Ottawa, said she cycles across the Portage Bridge, an experience she described as "terrifying." She was pleased to hear the NCCis planning to install a physical barrier between the new, slightly wider cycling lanes and the road.

O'Neill was concerned that the bridge would be closed to cyclists during the summer months, when the bike lanes are more heavily used by both residents and tourists.

But NCC staff said the plan isto direct all bicycle traffic to the eastern sidewalk, while pedestrians will be told to use the western sidewalk.

The NCChasn't yet decided whether the bike lanes will be elevated to the level of the sidewalk a few directors argued against itbut the board unanimously approved the separated lanes, which are expected to cost about$2.2million, included in the project's overall cost.

The Portage Bridge, which opened in 1973, will bedue for major reconstruction in another 10 to 25 years, theNCCsaid.