The federal government has taken another step forward with its plan to build a sixth interprovincial bridge in the National Capital Region.

On March 13, it announced that it had named a joint venture of Parsons Inc. and Stantec Consulting Ltd. to act as technical advisors for the proposed project. Their contract is valued at $10.6 million.

The technical advisor will provide expertise in technical areas, economic and environmental studies, impact assessments, and will develop conceptual designs to help make this project a reality. This will ensure that the project benefits from leading and industry best-practice solutions and efficiencies.

“Our government is committed to improving interprovincial mobility in the National Capital Region,” said Public Services and Procurement Canada Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “The Eastern Bridge will not only help improve transportation on both sides of the Ottawa River, but it will also stimulate economic growth for generations to come.”

Currently, all interprovincial links between Gatineau and Ottawa are at or near maximum capacity, particularly the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge, which was crossed by an average of 70,000 vehicles daily in 2023.

About 3,500 trucks cross the Ottawa River every day, and 72% of them use the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge. Most use a route that either starts or finishes east of the river.

Evidence from evaluations over the last 15 years has consistently recommended the Montée Paiement–Aviation Parkway Corridor east of Ottawa’s downtown core.

The proposed bridge is expected to include separate pedestrian and cycling pathways and accommodate public transit, as well as personal and commercial vehicles.