An additional National Capital Region crossing

Learn more about the steps we’re taking to gather additional information to support evidence-based decision-making and assess the potential options for an additional crossing in the National Capital Region (NCR).

On this page

• Ongoing studies for an additional crossing
• How we’ll use the new data
• Role of the project office
• More information

Ongoing studies for an additional crossing

In 2009, the National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, undertook a technical study on a possible new crossing in the NCR between the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau. The study evaluated 10 potential corridors. In 2013, further planning studies were undertaken on the 3 highest-ranked potential corridors.

Following the Budget 2019 commitment, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and the NCC refreshed technical studies in 2019 and 2020 on the 3 potential corridors previously identified as having the most potential:

• Kettle Island (Corridor 5)
• Lower Duck Island (Corridor 6)
• McLaurin Bay (Corridor 7)

The project office has also commissioned numerous studies in recent years to assist in the planning and decision-making for a potential additional NCR crossing. On top of the refreshed studies, the project office will use the results of:

• the Long-Term Integrated Interprovincial Crossings Plan, approved by the NCC’s Board of Directors in January 2022 and the technical update that takes into account new information from:
  • the Origin-Destination Survey, led by the TRANS Committee, of which the NCC is a member agency (available in spring 2024)
  • the Commercial Goods Movement Survey, initiated in March 2023 by the NCC (available in spring 2024)
• the geotechnical study, completed in 2023, to collect additional geotechnical data in the Ottawa River, specifically in the east end of Ottawa-Gatineau near Kettle Island, Lower Duck Island and McLaurin Bay (the study will be used to understand whether a site may be appropriate to support the structure of a potential crossing and is expected to be available in summer 2024)

Available studies and reports: An additional National Capital Region crossing.

How we will use the new data

The purpose of the studies is not to recommend a specific corridor, but rather to include new mobility trends for the future in the analysis. The data also outlines existing conditions within the study area, as well as changes that could impact the previous findings.

The project office continues to gather additional information to assess the 3 corridors and help the Government of Canada consider its options for an additional NCR crossing.

Role of the project office

The project office is comprised of experts from both PSPC and the NCC. It was created in fall 2021, following the Budget 2021 commitment to address the need for an additional NCR crossing. Its role is to work in close collaboration to coordinate the gathering of new information to help the government consider its options for a new crossing in the NCR.

More information

• Bridges and crossings in the National Capital Region
• Lane reductions and closures on interprovincial bridges in the National Capital Region