Vimy Memorial Bridge

The Vimy Memorial Bridge (previously the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge[1]) is a bridge in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Completed in 2014, it crosses the Rideau River, connecting Strandherd Drive in Barrhaven and Earl Armstrong Road in Riverside South. The bridge was the 2015 winner of the Gustav Lindenthal Medal.[2] It is named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, as suggested by two Royal Canadian Legions in Ottawa.[1]

Vimy Memorial Bridge

Vimy Memorial Bridge
Coordinates	45.26991°N 75.70245°W
Carries	vehicles (2x3 lanes) buses (2x1 lane) bicycles (2x1 lane)
Crosses	Rideau River, Rideau Canal
Locale	southern Ottawa
Other name(s)	Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge
Website	ottawa.ca/en/city_hall/planningprojectsreports/construction/projects/strandherd_bridge/index.html
Preceded by	Manotick
Followed by	Hunt Club Road
Characteristics
Design	triangular-truss arches, with two suspended decks
Material	Steel
Total length	143 metres (469 ft)
History
Construction cost	$50 million CAD
Opened	12 July 2014
Statistics
Toll	free
Location

History

The idea for a bridge in this location was first brought up in 1993 as a road bridge. The location was later revisited as the location for a light rail crossing for the O-Train, but that extension plan was cancelled. In 2010, the city, provincial, and national governments invested equal amounts totalling $48 million in building the bridge.[3] The original contractor hired, ConCreate USL, went into receivership when the project was about 60% complete and the bonding company, GCNA hired a new contractor, formed by former employees of Concreate, now known as Horseshoe Hill Construction, to complete its bonded work.[4] The project was initially expected to be completed in 2012.[5] However, due to the contractor going bankrupt and the city's bonding company refusing to accelerate work, the completion date was delayed. The bridge was then due to be open in September 2014[6] and was opened earlier than expected on 12 July 2014.[7]

Features

The bridge has three vehicle lanes, a dedicated bus lane, and a bike lane in each direction. Pedestrian walkways are located on the outside of the bridge on both the north and south side.

Public transit

OC Transpo Routes 74 and 99, which use the bridge's exclusive bus lanes, are a part of the Ottawa bus rapid transit system known as the Transitway. Route 99 operates in both directions from Hurdman station to Barrhaven Centre station at peak hours via the southeastern transitway, serves Riverside South via Spratt Road and connects to the O-Train Line 2 at Greenboro station, which serves as its northeastern terminus in off-peak hours. Route 74, a high frequency rapid transit route, serves Riverview station in the southbound direction and continues northward to Tunney's Pasture station. The new bridge's exclusive bus lanes have improved transit service in Barrhaven and Riverside South.

References

1. "Vimy Memorial Bridge name approved at Ottawa committee". CBC News. 1 Oct 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
2. "Vimy Memorial Bridge earns International Award of Distinction". City of Ottawa. 10 June 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
3. Rwema, Eddie. "Strandherd-Armstrong bridge on track: Coun. Desroches". Ottawa South EMC. Metroland Media Group Ltd. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
4. "Strandherd-Armstrong bridge work to resume". CBC News. 6 June 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
5. "Strandherd bridge moved into place this weekend". Ottawa Sun, July 13, 2013.
6. Hempstead, Doug. "July opening for Strandherd-Armstrong bridge ... maybe". Ottawa Sun. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
7. "Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge opens, significantly improving connectivity for Riverside South and Barrhaven residents". City of Ottawa. 12 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.