NCC chooses 'sinuous' design for Alexandra Bridge replacement

The National Capital Commission (NCC) has chosen its preferred design for a new Alexandra Bridge.

The design, known as "Motion," was among the three finalists revealed in October. The choice was based on a recommendation from a joint project team and the NCC board unanimously approved it on Thursday.

The design is inspired by the flow of the Ottawa River and the rippling form of one of its native species.

"The Motion design is a tribute to the dynamic, ever-changing motion of the river, inspired by the eel," architect Martin Knight said in October when the short list was revealed. "The bridge's graceful form reflects the eel's motion."

The design beat out two other concepts — known as "Rendez-Vous" and "Echo" — on a scoring framework that looked at seven different objectives. It ranked well above its rivals on both "visual experience and public space" and "user experience and capital realm integration."

Chris Meek, a land use planner with the NCC, commended Motion's "organic sinuous form," "visual transparency" and "strong integration with the surrounding cultural landscape" at Thursday's NCC board meeting.

Choice informed by public consultation

The bridge will have lanes for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as public spaces with views of Parliament Hill.

The project team, made up of NCC and Public Services and Procurement Canada representatives, said the public consultation process that informed its choice included more than 5,000 surveys, two open houses with about 350 people in attendance, and regular meetings with multiple First Nation groups.

Emilie Girard-Ruel, the NCC's director of public and corporate affairs, said the public praised Motion's "unobstructed views" of the skyline, "as well as the fact that it is a fluid and dynamic concept with proportions that integrate well in the landscape."

There was also a public advisory group, including representatives of community organizations such as Heritage Ottawa and the Lowertown Community Association. But one of its members says he was surprised by the result.

"We were kind of united in our group, the PAC group that the NCC put together, that we preferred the echo design," said Josiah Frith, vice-chair of the Lowertown Community Association's transportation committee.

He called the Motion design "the least favourite amongst our group." In his view, the public consultation process was more show than substance.

"It feels performative to be honest," he said. "Without being able to hear the other voices that were apparently considered in this and may have chosen this design, we really are left feeling just like our opinions don't mean anything. I don't see anything that we discussed in the room coming to this design."

Final approval in 2028

But the design of the bridge is only 15 per cent complete. A final design will return to the NCC board for approval in 2028. NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said there will be a chance to incorporate public feedback to improve the motion design.

"Many of the consultations asked both the public and stakeholders, what do you like and not like about each of these options?" he said. "So now the team has an opportunity to integrate some of that advice and feedback to improve the initial concepts."

The current bridge, one of five crossings linking Ottawa and Gatineau, turns 124 this year and is at the end of its lifespan, according to the NCC, which has ruled out simply repairing the structure.

Further public consultation is expected on the chosen design. Construction on the new bridge is expected to last from 2028 to 2032.