Kettle Island Bridge

Kettle Island Bridge walking tour and advocacy discussion

Aerial View of Kettle Island

For decades, the National Capital Commission has been advocating the construction of a bridge at Kettle Island that will funnel traffic through residential areas and through a recreational waterfront area known for its peaceful natural beauty and charm. Borrowing from Jane Jacobs' advocacy against short-sighted, neighbourhood-destroying road projects of this kind, we will be discussing how this project will harm our neighbourhoods and destroy the natural heart of our city.

Kettle Island is a nature reserve with endangered species, and where the NCC has already invested over $65 Million for the public to enjoy its waterfront serenity and beauty. However, other bureaucrats within that agency are working at cross-purposes to add noise, pollution, and traffic that will obliterate the tranquility of this area, negating that earlier investment.

With this project being quietly fast-tracked for the past year, this is our last chance to discuss what can be done, as we launch a new neighbourhood advocacy organization inspired by Jane Jacobs to combat civic soul destroying development of this kind. Come enjoy the peaceful nature of this area, as we stroll along this heritage waterfront to appreciate what we have and what we may lose. If you like what you hear, you are welcome to join us in opposing this development, as Jane Jacobs likely would have.

News articles:

Federal Govt Moves Ahead on Bridge at Kettle Island (Ottawa Citizen)

Councillor Reaffirms Opposition to Kettle Island Bridge (Manor Park Chronicle)

Carte indiquant le point de départ

Trajet

We will meet at the driveway in front of the NCC River House (formerly the Ottawa New Edinburgh Boathouse). We'll walk into the boathouse (if it is open to the public by this time), then wend our way down the riverfront pathway to loop back up along the multi-use pathway back to the starting point.

Afterwards, those interested in working on a shared advocacy against the Kettle Island Bridge are welcome to join a post-walk discussion and refreshments at the NCC River House.

There is public parking in NCC lot P3 on the south side of the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway (across from the NCC River House) as well as street parking on nearby Acacia Ave.

Au sujet du guide

John Gaudaur Savage is a local waterfront resident of rue Jacques-Cartier, who has advocated for sensible waterfront development, protections, and regulations to improve the Ottawa River as a shared waterway. As a Metis (Chippewa, French, and British), whose ancestors traversed this area, he has a familial connection to these waterways possibly stretching back to the street's earliest residents 7,000 years ago. Since 2009, he has been an outspoken opponent of a Kettle Island Bridge proposal and would like to connect with other community members who are interested in working with him on this.

Guide:

John Savage

Quand:

Date:	sam 3 mai, 2025
Heure:	13h30
Durée:	1 heure 30 min
Langue:	anglais

Où:

Début:	NCC River House front entrance
Fin:	same
Quartier:	Rockcliffe
Distance:	1.0 km

Accessibilité:

The walk will follow paved pathways with some steep inclines.

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Galerie d'images

Location of Kettle Island between the Quebec and Ontario banks of the Ottawa River.

Map showing three proposed locations for a sixth bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau.

The western chorus frog, a threatened species which inhabits swampy areas that the bridge route would pass through.

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