Patterson Creek Bridge Rehabilitation

The Patterson Creek Bridge is located on Queen Elizabeth Driveway and crosses Patterson Creek, which connects to the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at the location of the bridge. The Patterson Creek Bridge has heritage value and features in the railings, arch and wingwalls. The bridge is a single-span, two-lane structure constructed circa 1911. The span is a concrete arch, with stone retaining walls, an ornamental cast-iron railing, and four precast concrete lamp standards.  

 

The bridge is showing major deficiencies, with notable severe degradation in the bridge railings and wingwalls. The main factors that are contributing to the ongoing degradation of the bridge structure are inadequate water drainage, ongoing use of road salt during winter, and decades of freeze-thaw cycles causing frost heaves of the asphalt surface and numerous wide cracks on the top of the roadway.

 

The scope of repairs will include: 

 

  • Various types of concrete repairs on soffit and abutments; 
  • Installation of a concrete distribution slab to support widening the bridge;  
  • Waterproofing and asphalt; 
  • Re-pointing works to the masonry wingwalls and bridge masonry fascias; 
  • Repair and replacement of the ornamental heritage railings; 
  • Repair and replacement of the light posts and fixtures; 
  • Improvement of surface drainage; 
  • Enhancement and widening of the multi-use pathway and sidewalk. 

 

 

The Patterson Creek Bridge is located on land under the administration of the National Capital Commission (NCC). The east side of the bridge and wingwalls are on the edge of Parks Canada's jurisdiction. The NCC and Parks Canada are required to make an environmental effects determination under the Impact Assessment Act prior to the start of construction, and a federal land use, design and transaction approval (FLUDTA) is required for this work. A heritage impact assessment is also being carried out to inform the bridge rehabilitation. To mitigate potential negative effects on Patterson Creek, the NCC will consult with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) for the work that will occur within regulated fish habitat or in water. All work on, under, and over the bed and waters of the lakes and rivers of the Rideau Canal requires a permit from Parks Canada.  An approval from Transport Canada is required under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act.

  

The work is expected to take place from June 2025 to April 2026 and is expected to temporarily and intermittently impact the existing pathway and roadway at the bridge rehabilitation location during construction.  

 

More

Latest update

April 4, 2025 – The public comment period on the project is closed. The National Capital Commission is considering comments received to help inform its determination on whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
2 Notice of Determination - September 19, 2025
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - March 5, 2025

Contacts

National Capital Commission
Environmental Assessment
40 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5A8
Email: IA-EI@ncc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Patterson Creek (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Bridges

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-03-05

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • National Capital Commission
    • Parks Canada Agency
    • Transport Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89342

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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