Chief William Commanda Bridge reopens Monday morning

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The Chief William Commanda Bridge opened for business Monday morning after its nearly four-month winter shutdown.

The popular bridge linking Ottawa and Gatineau across Lemieux Island has been closed since Nov. 21 because the city said winter maintenance — plowing and salting — could damage the structure.

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In a memo to the mayor and members of council Monday morning, Alain Gonthier, general manager of public works, said the bridge is now open but would close again if the weather worsens.

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“We will continue to monitor the weather and the bridge condition to ensure the bridge surface remains safe for users,” Gonthier’s memo said.

“In the event of a weather event or drop in temperature causing snow and/or ice accumulation on the bridge deck, staff may be required to temporarily close the bridge until conditions allow for safe pedestrian and cycling access.”

Cyclists and pedestrians chafed at the closure, with many simply jumping the barriers to make an illicit crossing on the nearly one-kilometre-long former railway bridge.

The refurbished bridge opened last August to acclaim, with nearly 30,000 people making the crossing in its first week of operation. Though it links the National Capital Commission multi-use pathways on the Ontario and Quebec sides of the Ottawa River, the bridge is a City of Ottawa project. The city spent $22.6 million to adapt the bridge for active transportation, with the help of an $8.6-million grant from the federal government.

Meanwhile, a nearly complete bridge spanning the Rideau River between Carleton University and Vincent Massey Park remains off-limits. The bridge is part of the construction of the Trillium Line LRT and its opening is tied to the opening of the Trillium Line. Workers must finish applying a protective coating to the structure and finish some final electrical work before the bridge is ready for use by cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge is expected to open sometime this summer, but no date has been announced.

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