Ottawa mayoral candidates state positions on an East End Bridge
Although the list of Ottawa mayoral candidates is lengthy, it is likely that most votes will be cast among one of four candidates: Jim Watson, Andrew Haydon, Clive Doucet, or the incumbent Larry O’Brien. Their positions on an East End bridge are outlined below.
Their election platforms are broad and varied, but one fact is certain: A vote for Larry O’Brien is a vote for a bridge at Kettle Island.
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Jim Watson: “A bridge over Kettle Island will have an extremely negative impact on several communities. Solving one community’s problem by putting it into another makes no sense and I will not support the Kettle Island option.” (Jim Watson election flyer).
In recent email correspondence with concerned citizens, Jim Watson expanded on his position on an East End Bridge:
“I do not support the three options that are being proposed by the NCC.
I don’t believe you solve one community’s problems by transferring them to another.
Truck traffic on King Edward is a serious problem and even with the bridge options proposed, it is clear that Gatineau council still expects to have 60 % of truck traffic use King Edward which is not acceptable.
Kettle island as an option would have a negative effect on several communities and I have not supported that option going back to my days on regional council.
The two other options (6 and 7) would have a negative impact on the quality of life for the people of Orleans and add even greater overload to the 174 and 417 at the split and beyond.
I have been impressed with community groups who have put forward alternative options including a truck toll tunnel and I want the NCC to be open to studying alternatives that would have less negative impact on established residential communities.
Finally, my first priority is public transit, and not a bridge. The Federal government has already said they do not have funds for a bridge at this point.
While the city will not have the final say, my view is we need to work to get light rail out to Orleans faster than is planned to help ease congestion and if there are extra funds available from the other levels of government, I want those dollars spent on our transit plan over a bridge.”
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Andrew Haydon: At the Rideau-Rockcliffe candidates debate (Oct 14, 2010), Mr. Haydon outwardly spoke against a Kettle Island bridge. Below is an excerpt from an article in the Ottawa Sun where he described his position on trucks and interprovincial traffic (Oct. 6th, 2010, Ottawa Sun, Andy pitches his dream).
He also wants to create a second Greenbelt near a proposed ring road south of Manotick.
But perhaps his most ambitious dream is the construction of traffic lanes from Quebec across the Prince of Wales Bridge all the way to the Queensway along O-train rail tracks to decrease bus and truck traffic.
“I’ve been looking at this for years,” he said. “The bottom line is no more Quebec bus traffic on Wellington St. and King Edward Ave. will be truck-free.”
He sees trucks using the new crossing during non-peak bus hours.
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Clive Doucet: Mr. Doucet was also clear at the Rideau-Rockcliffe forum that he opposes KI. However, his published platform material is not as explicit. Below is an excerpt from his website discussing traffic-related issues:
Transit economies. Ottawa spends $600M every year on building and maintaining city roads. We can spend an equivalent amount once and have a Preston Street (O-Train connection) to Kanata LRT system up and running.
We will maintain existing roads before building new ones. The LRT will free up space on roads and Hwy 417 making commuting easier and reducing wear and tear on roadbeds.
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Larry O’Brien: Larry O’Brien is an outward supporter of the Kettle Island bridge. A vote for Larry O’Brien is a vote for a bridge at Kettle Island. Here’s an excerpt from Mr. O’Brien’s Five-Point Traffic Management Plan:
“1. Two major road-building initiatives to keep Ottawa moving
The mayor proposes the construction of a ring-road around Ottawa, as well to support the recommendation for a new bridge to link Ottawa and Gatineau over Kettle Island.”
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October 16th, 2010 at 11:57 am
The waters around Kettle Island are ideal for recreational use, an urban oasis in the midst of an expanding city. Paddlers of all kinds need to get out and use this area and reclaim it as their own. Sir John A. Macdonald actively promoted rowing and canoeing on this stretch of river. The more people who paddle it, the greater the number who will want to save it. A bridge will destroy our last section of river that remains somewhat natural, that is a host to wildlife of all kinds that use Kettle Island as a nature corridor between Greens Creek and Pointe-Gatineau.
June 13th, 2011 at 11:20 am
Why is Aylmer – Kanata not an option for a bridge? Commuters travelling to Silicon Valley North (Kanata) would be very pleased to reduce their commute by 2 hours or so.
There are so many bridges focused on east end or downtown core. Should Ottawa not focus on re-leaving traffic from the core and allowing ever growing communities like Kanata to absorb some traffic?