Canadian Pacific Railway Overhead Bridge Rehabilitation

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) overhead bridge on the Kichi Zībī Mīkan (formerly Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway) was originally built in 1966 for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It crosses over the Trillium multi-use pathway and the old railway, which now connects to Chief William Commanda Bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau. The bridge is made of a three-span reinforced concrete structure with a variable depth deck, perched abutments and double-legged inclined piers. A minor repair was done to the bridge in 2006. The bridge is approximately 41.5 m long and 24.1 m wide.

The planned rehabilitation aims to repair severe deterioration of concrete on the deck, the abutment wall and abutment slope protection; replace waterproofing and asphalt; and replace expansion joints, the sidewalk and the railing to meet code requirement for crash-tested barriers.

The scope of work will include but may not be limited to the following:

  • Reduce traffic to one lane in each direction using a temporary detour. Phase 1 will focus on the eastbound lanes, followed by Phase 2 on the westbound lanes. 
  • Install temporary traffic signage and road markings for each phase. 
  • Temporarily relocate concrete traffic barriers during construction phases.
  • Excavate flagstone paved embankments to expose footings at both abutments. 
  • Perform partial-depth concrete removals and repairs on abutments and piers. 
  • Install temporary supports under the bridge deck, then remove and replace bearings and seats. 
  • Repair damaged concrete in deck ends and soffit. 
  • Backfill and reinstate flagstone paving. 
  • Remove the existing railings and cantilevered overhang from deck and approach slabs. 
  • Rebuild the deck overhang and install new railing curb and approach slabs. 
  • Install new crash-tested railings. 
  • Remove the existing asphalt and waterproofing and repair deteriorated concrete. 
  • Remove the deck joints and convert to semi-integral ends. 
  • Apply waterproofing and pavement. 
  • Install new road markings and clean up the site. 

 

The NCC will review the project under the Impact Assessment Act. During construction, there will be temporary impacts to the roadway and pathway under the bridge. However, to mediate those impacts:

  • One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction on Kichi Zībī Mīkan.
  • The multi-use pathway under the bridge will stay accessible.
  • The public will receive clear communication and updates about traffic changes.

Close coordination to minimize traffic disruption will occur with Public Services and Procurement Canada, the City of Ottawa, OC Transpo, the Ville de Gatineau and STO, and align with nearby capital projects such as the Energy Services Acquisition Program (ESAP), the O-Train, and other interprovincial crossings projects. 

The project is scheduled to take place from April 2026 to April 2027.

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Latest update

January 15, 2026 – 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 - February 23, 2026
1 Notice of Intent to Make a Determination - Start of Public Comment Period - National Capital Commission - December 16, 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

    • Canadian Pacific Railway Overhead Bridge (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Bridges
    • Maintenance activities (fences, walls)

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-12-16

  • Proponent

    National Capital Commission

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    90095

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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