Mainstreeter Staff
The Riverview Park Community Association (RPCA) has expressed its support for the idea of a new footbridge over the Rideau River from the foot of Clegg Street in Old Ottawa East to the greenspace of Riverview Park on the other side, says Kris Nanda, chair of RPCA’s planning and development committee.
The bridge proposal was first endorsed by the Old Ottawa East Community Association (OOECA) at its January meeting, and the local community association has included the proposal in its submission for the update of the City of Ottawa’s Transportation Master Plan. OOECA will be presenting the proposal to other community and cycling associations this spring in order to get feedback and, ideally, support.
The proposed footbridge would be a modest structure, potentially one-quarter the cost of the Flora Footbridge, and would provide a missing link in the City’s east-west active transportation system and easy access to and from the Smyth Road health campus.
Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard and Alta Vista Councillor Jean Cloutier have expressed interest in investigating the proposed bridge.
The community has also received comments from the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority regarding environmental and engineering factors that would have to be considered for a watercourse crossing at the eastern end of Clegg Street.
